Ulsan crowned kings of Asia

Updated November 11, 2012 10:19:40

Ulsan Hyundai has thrashed Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli 3-0 to lift its first AFC Champions League trophy and become the third South Korean club in four years to be crowned kings of Asia.

Goals from Kwak Tae-Hwi, Rafinha and Kim Seung-Yong raised the roof at Ulsan's home stadium and ensured that Kim Ho-Gon's side followed in the footsteps of Pohang Steelers and Seongnam Ilhwa, winners in 2009 and 2010 respectively.

Al Ahli rarely troubled the hosts' defence throughout the 90 minutes and in the end Ulsan was a comfortable winner to the delight of an impressive crowd of 42,153.

Ulsan started the game brightly, with Rafinha and Kwak both going close in the opening 10 minutes in what was threatening to be a one-sided affair even at such an early stage.

In the 13th minute, Ulsan claimed the lead its impressive start deserved when club captain Kwak ambled up from defence to meet Kim Seung-Yong's free kick with a firm header.

Juan Estiven Velez tried his luck from long range on two occasions as Ulsan sought to extend its advantage and Al Ahli continued to struggle, but both attempts were well off target.

Al Ahli offered little serious threat in attack and, with four minutes left in the half, Kim Shin-Wook hooked his attempt wide as Ulsan sought what was turning out to be an elusive second goal.

That though changed midway through the second half when Velez's ball was headed across goal by Kim Shin-Wook and into the path of Rafinha, who scored his fifth goal in five Champions League games since arriving from J-League side Gamba Osaka.

And, with 15 minutes to go, Kim Seung-Yong added a deserved third for the dominant Ulsan when his left-foot drive from a tight angle gave Al Ahli goalkeeper Abdullah Al Muaiouf little chance.

Ulsan's fans celebrated wildly after the win which also secures their team a berth next month's FIFA Club World Cup finals in Japan.

AFP

Tags: soccer, sport, korea-republic-of, saudi-arabia

First posted November 11, 2012 10:19:40

View the original article here

Iniesta crowned European player of season

Updated August 31, 2012 10:05:31

Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta received the UEFA Best Player in Europe award after pipping Cristiano Ronaldo and club-mate Lionel Messi in a journalists' poll.

It is his second major individual honour of the summer, after he was named Player of the Tournament for his role in Spain's triumph at Euro 2012 in Poland and Ukraine.

The award was decided by 53 European journalists who cast their votes during the Champions League group-stage draw in Monaco.

Iniesta, 28, received 19 votes, with Ronaldo and Messi - the winner of last year's inaugural prize - each receiving 17.

"I am very honoured and I dedicate this award to my Barcelona and Spain team-mates," said Iniesta, who received the award from UEFA president Michel Platini.

"I am privileged to be here with two such great footballers as Leo and Cristiano."

An artful attacking midfielder, Iniesta has won every major honour in the game with Barcelona and Spain over the last four years and notably scored the extra-time winner against the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final in South Africa.

Despite his success at Euro 2012, Iniesta saw Barcelona miss out to Ronaldo's Real Madrid in last season's la Liga title race, while the Blaugrana also fell to eventual champions Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, spain

First posted August 31, 2012 09:45:31

View the original article here

Real Madrid crowned Spanish champions

Updated May 03, 2012 09:51:18

Real Madrid claimed their first Spanish title in four years, ending the reign of bitter rivals Barcelona, after beating Athletic Bilbao 3-0 for their 32nd league crown.

Gonzalo Higuain, Mesut Ozil and Cristiano Ronaldo scored the goals to give Jose Mourinho a record-breaking four titles in four different countries and the victory required with two games remaining.

Mourinho's first Spanish league title ended Barca's run of three successive league titles in his second season at the club.

Madrid needed to win after Barcelona had earlier beaten Malaga 4-1 with goals from Carles Puyol and a hat-trick from Lionel Messi that saw him break Gerd Muller's record for goals in a single European season.

Afterwards the players jubilantly celebrated on the San Mames pitch as the first visiting team to ever win a title in Athletic's stadium.

"It's been a long hard season but we've finally done it and I just hope it's the first of many with this young squad, we dedicate it to the fans," said captain Iker Casillas on the final whistle.

"We're very happy," said Sergio Ramos, who last week had experienced vastly different emotions when he missed a penalty in the Champions League semi-final shootout defeat by Bayern Munich.

"It's been a tough league and Barca were an extraordinary rival, we'll enjoy it now and celebrate it with our fans."

Mourinho again refused to face the Spanish press after the game but spoke to Real Madrid TV.

"It's been a great title for us, no-one has given us anything all season, we've fought from start to finish, the players have been fantastic and deserve it," said the 49-year-old.

"I've won titles before in Portugal, Italy and England but this has been the most difficult of all. I think even Barca, after they've won three titles in a row, know that we deserve this one," he added.

Getting the better of Barca, where he was an assistant under Bobby Robson in the late 1990s, will be a particular source of satisfaction for Mourinho, who has made a habit of needling his former employers during his two years in the Spanish capital.

He could not help taking a dig at the Catalans, suggesting one of the penalty's they had been awarded in their 4-1 home win over Malaga earlier on Wednesday was "soft".

"Barca won a lot of games and tried to push the league as far as possible," he added.

"I think that they themselves, champions and a club with a great tradition, know that we deserve this league title."

Madrid looked to have got the perfect start when it was awarded a penalty on 11 minutes for a clear handball by Javi Martinez.

However, Ronaldo shot tamely down the centre and it was easily saved by Gorka Iraizoz -- it was his second penalty miss in a week after the semi-final loss to Bayern.

The Portuguese star need not have worried, five minutes later 'los blancos' were ahead when Higuain hit an unstoppable shot from 20 yards.

The title then became a virtual certainty on 20 minutes when Ronaldo found Ozil with a sweeping cross from the right-wing for the German midfielder to double the lead.

Five minutes after the interval Ronaldo headed home a corner to add the third and his 44th league goal of the season.

AFP/Reuters

Tags: spain, soccer, sport, spain

First posted May 03, 2012 09:51:18

View the original article here