Seongnam Ilhwa of South Korea booked a place in next month's final in Tokyo after beating Al-Shabab 1-0 at home, progressing on the away goals rule after a 4-3 defeat in their semifinal first leg.

The seven-time K-League champions, finalists in 2004, will play Iranian league leaders Zobahan, who defeated Al-Hilal in front of more than 70,000 cheering Saudi cheering fans in Riyadh later in the day.

At the King Fahd International stadium, the Iranian team, with a goal advantage from the first leg, played out a goalless first half with Hilal showing aggression.

The Iranian team shocked Hilal fans when Igor Jose Castro scored the first goal for Zobahan following a defensive lapse by Osama Hawsawi, who failed to clear the ball from inside the penalty kick. Castro took the ball and blasted the goal on the left hand side of the goalkeeper.

The goal was enough to see the Iran side thru as they closed down the shutters to run out 2-0 aggregate winners.

Seongnam forward Cho Dong-geon scored the only goal at the Tancheon Sports Complex in the 31st minute and Korea Republic goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong was another hero after pulling off vital saves in the second half.

Ilhwa, wearing their familiar yellow shirts but unfamiliar red shorts and socks, had revenge on their mind after giving up the lead three times in Riyadh two weeks ago.

Seongnam coach Shin Tae-yong wanted an early goal and his side had the ball in the net in the third minute, but midfielder Kim Sung-hwan was ruled offside after shooting home from a flick-on header by target man Dzenan Radoncic.

Captain Sasa Ognenovski came close in the 26th minute when he rose to meet a Mauricio Molina free-kick from the left, but the giant Australian center-back glanced his header just past the far post.

In the 30th minute left-back Hong Chul, 20, showed great skill to set Radoncic free on the left of the area and the tall Montenegrin beat Brazilian defender Marcelo Tavares before his angled shot was well saved by Waleed Abdullah.

Seongnam took the lead just a minute later. Right-back Ko Jae-sung pumped in a deep cross that was flicked on toward the six-yard box and the 24-year-old Cho pounced on the chance to hook the ball into the top of the net with his left foot.

Abdullah showed his worth in the 44th minute, when he reacted well to save Kim Cheol-ho's powerful shot from inside the area.

Seongnam center-back Cho Byung-kuk had a good chance 10 minutes into the second half, but could only scuff his volley straight at Abdullah from 12 yards out.

Shabab were increasingly coming into the game and Jung had to pull off two great saves in the 64th minute to deny the visitors.

Nassir Al-Shamrani finally burst into life when the Saudi Arabia striker intercepted a Seongnam pass and cut in from the left before powering a low right-foot shot that was parried by a diving Jung.

The big keeper then responded instantly to save the follow-up by Abdullah Shuhail, using his left knee to deny a close-range shot by the left-back.

Seongnam winger Song Ho-young came on for Cho in the 66th minute and five minutes later the 22-year-old intercepted a pass outside the Shabab area, but with only Abdullah to beat, he tamely poked the ball into the keeper's legs.

Eight minutes later, Song blasted over wildly when picked out at the top of the area by Molina as Seongnam sought a decisive second goal.

Shabab pressed on for the equalizer and Saudi Arabia midfielder Abdoh Autef and striker Faisal Bin Sultan were both brought on in the last 10 minutes, hoping to repeat the decisive impact they made as substitutes to win the first leg.

However, it was Brazilian playmaker Marcelo Camacho who came closest with a snap-shot from outside the area, although Jung comfortably tipped over the effort.

Driven on by a fired-up Ognenovski, who played in the 2008 final for Adelaide United, Seongnam held out to continue their excellent record in the AFC Champions League.

This year's one-leg final will be held at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Nov. 13, when Seongnam will look to succeed fellow K-League giants Pohang Steelers as champions.

Meanwhile, in the Saudi Professional League round ten, Al-Ittihad and Al-Fateh drew 0-0 in Al-Ahsa. This is the second draw for Ittihad as the team drew in the previous match against Al-Wehda of Makkah 1-1.

Ittihad, however, remained on top with 23 points, while Al-Fateh is No. 13 in the standing with six points. Action will continue on Thursday with two matches. Al-Qadisiya will face Al-Raid in Alkhobar and in the second match Wehda will host Najran in Makkah.