With regards to the pitch at the JAR Stadium, in my opinion it did look like a sandpit in places. Did look pants at the highest level in Asia.
That was Bunyodkor's old stadium, JAR. Our NT plays in Pakhtakor stadium. Once again, your words that it was such kind of a trick is absolutely nonsence. We usually have such dead areas on our fields in this period of year after those 3, 4 damn hot months where the temperature is not below 40 degrees. Anyhow, the field didn't look that dangerous, it was ok, otherwise you couldn't watch that attacking and fast football from both teams.
How about Bunyodkor's goal then? Care to explain how the mighty Ulsan defense allowed 2 players not 1 go behind their leftback and then when the ball was cut back have 3 bunyodkor players queue up to score it under no pressure. Oh and BTW, that wasn't a one off. Bunyodkor (and might I add, Hilal too) had a lot of joy playing in behind your fullbacks and often picked out free players in the box. It's says more about your oppositions' poor finishing that you weren't made to pay.
Al-Hilal can still win on their own ground, Ittihad won merely by one goal. I dont see that much of a realistic chance for Bunyodkor however, that has to play Ulsan in an away match.
No shit, genius. The whole point of the game is to score. You mean Ahli, and yes everything is still to play for. Same ground BTW. We share the stadium.
Al-Ahli does have a great chance to overcome this deficit, but Al-Ittihad in the end will most likely win it. Naif Hazazi, Diego Souza and Mohammed Noor are just way too much for Al-Ahli to handle. (Esp. Noor, one of the few Middle Eastern players I like watching cause he is actually good. He gave Jeonbuk a lot problems last year in the ACL.) Bunyodkor are good as done. They have to fly all the way to Ulsan, adjust to the condition and comeback from a 3-1 aggregate. But I would not count them out yet. They came back twice in their two legs against Adelaide United and Ulsan still has to play a league game while Bunyodkor does not, so they will get plenty of rest.
I'm biased obviously so I'll say Ittihad, although both have very big fanbases in Jeddah and the Hijaz in general (nationwide Ittihad is much bigger). They won't have any problem filling the stadium but they'll never match us for atmosphere :
Bunyodkor weren't as bad the score suggests. They got undone by 2 set pieces but they did give Ulsan a game. But yeah, scoring 3 goals away is big big ask. But nothing is impossible in football.
That was sarcasm, but thanks for the laugh. When I asked to explain Ulsan's weakness that you think Al Ittihad can turn costly, I didn't expect to be addressed to a single moment of defensive lapse Ulsan suffered during the opposition's first attack four minutes into a match played away from home, no less a scenario that Al Ittihad's current forwards have struggled to capitalize on. If free of injuries and suspensions, Ulsan will stick to their game, be the favourites at home, and most likely win the match. There, I said it. You can go back to being a presumptuous past dweller now.
Like I said, it wasn't a one off. Ulsan isn't a team that locks down their defence. They give you chances. Whay are you so sore about this? Even a world class team like Barcelona gives you chances. And who's the one being presumptuous? I've consistently said in this thread that it's too early to talk about the final, let alone claim that we'll win the tournament.
HT Ulsan 0-0 Bunyodkor Ulsan's goal lived a charmed life in the first half hour. Bunyodkor's #10 could've had a hatrick. The hosts then got in to the game and had some good chances.
FT Ahli 2-0 Ittihad Ahli win 2-1 on aggregate Congratulations to Ahli. They were worthy winners.Can't fault our players on effort, but in the end we didn't have enough going forward. Best of luck to nutters in the final.
Can someone tell me which Champions League match earlier this season had two group of emirs fighting at the stands over a missed call? I believe it was between a Saudi and an Emirati club.
Just realized that West Asia hasn't seen a ACL final match since 2007. The AFC needs to go back to a home & away format...
It illustrates that the one legged final system is unfair. Every single one of these finals featured a west asian team. Don't know, but if you're into that kind of thing there were unfortunately some disgraceful scenes at the end of tonight's match: Initial coverage: What started it all:
So, the biggie takes place on Saturday 19:30 Korean Time 13:30 Saudi Time 10:30 UK time 05:30 USA Eastern time 02:30 USA Pacific time So, Al Ahli, runners up way back in 1986 at home to Daewoo Royals (Busna I'Park) have reached the final after playing entirely West Asian opposition. This is their 5th appearance in the finals, and it could be argued that they have never actually done much in it except for this year and way back in 86 when they qualified through the Gulf Club Championship and then faced Indonesian side Krama Yudha Tiga Berlian and East Bengal of India, hardly big opposition. In the semi's they beat Al Ittihad Aleppo. You can see the big differences from 86 to 2012 with the sides playing. The last time they played anyone from the east, they lost, to Chinese outfit Shenzhen Jianlibao (nowadays Shenzhen Ruby). As for Ulsan Hyundai, this is their 3rd appearance and they continue the Korean domination of making finals. They've played Al Hilal and Bunyodkor from West Asia, so does this give them the upper hand, especially at home, in geting used to teams from the other side of Asia? In 2008 they struggled to get out of the group phase and before that they made their first appearance in the 2006 edition, where they effectively got a buy to the knockout stages as TTM (Thailand) and Arema Malang (Indonesia) faield to register squads on time. Tellingly, in the Quarter Finals they met Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia and won 7:0 (winning at home in the 1st leg 6:0). So they do appear to have a hoodo over their Saudi friends. Either way, two rather in experienced teams at this level go head to head to represent Asia at the Club World Cup. For Saudi's & Koreans, can you gives us any more background on these clubs? For neutrals, can you describe your feelings about this final, a place in Japan beckons, do you prefer a particular team to represent Asia? Will they do us pride? Is it fair that it is played over one leg in East Asia once again? How does anyone see the future of the champions league? It's changed a lot since the 80's. Should Al Ahli and Ulsan have even made this stage? They aren't champions afterall. When will Chinee clubs up their game? Shoud more of Asia be represented?