Players and staff of Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ittihad club celebrate their victory against Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma of Korea after the Asian Champions League final in Sungnam, south of Seoul, on Wednesday. (Reuters)

JEDDAH, 2 December 2004 — Against all expectations and in a display that left an indelible mark in the hearts of soccer fans, Al-Ittihad of Jeddah surmounted incredible odds to emerge the champions of Asian Champions League by thumping Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma of Korea 5-0 in the return leg in Sungnam.

Ittihad overturned a 3-1 first leg deficit with this stirring display to win 6-3 on aggregate. They were a totally different side yesterday to the one at home when they let the Koreans run rings round them. Yesterday they produced a smashing performance at the Seongnam Sports Complex to ruin the home side’s hopes of salvaging a disappointing season.

The defeat ended a miserable season for Seongnam, who finished ninth out of 13 in the K-League having lifted the title the previous three years. Al Ittihad’s victory meant the Asian Champions League trophy stayed in west Asia as United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain won the inaugural competition last year.

Well before the fifth goal came in injury time, celebrations had already begun in Al-Sahafa Street, but that one was just another icing on the cake. Ittihad fans poured onto the streets to celebrate their team’s achievement, which will go into the annals of Saudi soccer as a remarkable feat in international competition.

Ittihad yesterday were in an all white uniform for the first time in the team history and it proved to be a lucky change considering the difficult situation Ittihad were in prior to the start of the match. They had to play against Seongnam in Korea, in very cold conditions and had to score three goals in order to win. And as the match turned out what they did was just stupendous.

Both the teams began carefully with the Koreans showing a clear penchant for defense. For the first 15 minutes both the teams probed cautiously the rival defenses with the hosts holding a slight edge. The first Seongnam threat came in the 10th minute with K. Lee’s effort, from a free kick ,curling past the Ittihad goalkeeper Hussein Al-Sadeq’s right.

Ittihad had its first clear look at the Seongnam goal in the 15th minute when Hamza Idrees, put clear, fumbled and fell inside the penalty box in a bid to win a penalty, wasting a gilt-edge chance. But it acted as a spur to the Saudi club, who suddenly picked up their tempo. Ittihad took control of the midfield and launched a series of attacks

Manaf Abu Shgeer nearly put Ittihad ahead in the 24th minute when his shot from outside the penalty area just sailed inches over the top bar. Ittihad’s sustained attack paid off when they went ahead in three minutes later. Brazilian international player Chico sent in a nice cross from a corner kick and it was perfectly met by defender Reda Tukar, who rose above Park Woo-hyun to head in clinically.

The goal opened the floodgates with Hamza Idrees missing a chance in the 35th minute. The Ittihad team had a scare in the 40th minute when Kim Young’s shot thudded the right post.

But Idrees made amends quickly during the extended time of the half when he latched on to the ball during an ensuing melee after Seongnam defense failed to clear the ball and struck.

With Ittihad in total control of the midfield and scenting a possible upset, Seongnam were forced to go on the offensive in the second half which played into the hands of the counter-attacking Saudis. Ittihad struck their third goal in the 55th minute through Muhammad Nur. Manaf Abu Shgeer, who had a brilliant game, sent in a defense-splitting center and it rolled toward Nur after Idrees had sold a dummy. Nur. Left clear, dispatched the ball into the goal with the goalkeeper out of position.

The Koreans ploy of throwing everything into the attack was met by an organized and strong defense. And their desperate attempts left Seongnam more disorganized. Nur nearly hit home the fourth in the 70th minute, but failed to redirect a super Marzook Al-Otaibi center.

But the Ittihad and Nur were not to be denied as the fourth goal came in 77th minute. Idrees did the hard work from the midfield, cut into Seongnam penalty area before releasing the ball to an unmarked Nur, who made no mistake.

Ittihad eased up a bit after this and the Koreans nearly got one in. Hussein Al-Sadeq pulled off a bright save in the 81st minute thwarting Seongnam’s Denis from close range.

With the Koreans hopes fading away, they pushed forward is droves, leaving empty spaces in the midfield and defense, to cut the deficit. This Jeddah side used to seal the match with their fifth strike. A fast counter by Manaf Abu Shgeer saw him cut past two defenders before crowning a classic solo run to kill off the Korean dreams for good.

Muhammad Nur, who had pledged to Ittihad fans that Ittihad will make Seongnam pay the price in Korea, redeemed his promise with a display that saw his net two of the five goals that deflated Seongnam.