Pohang Steelers lifted the 2009 AFC Champions League trophy after a thrilling 2-1 win over Saudi Arabian side Al Ittihad at the National Stadium in Tokyo, becoming the first side to pick up three Asian championship crowns after previously emerging victorious in the 1997 and 1998 Asian Club Championship tournaments.

Noh Byung-joon's 57th minute free-kick opener gave Pohang the lead, slightly against the run of play, before national team defender Kim Hyung-il doubled the lead in the 65th minute with a looping header. Mohammed Noor gave Al Ittihad hope of a comeback as he slotted home with sixteen minutes remaining, but the Koreans held out to record a famous victory.

The win sees Sergio Farias' men pick up the coveted trophy, a $1.5m prize and a place in the Club World Cup to be held in Abu Dhabi next month. Pohang are also still on course for an unprecedented treble in Korean football having already lifted the Peace Cup Korea, the K-League Cup competition, earlier this season. They have qualified for the K-League championship playoffs and their next match will take place at the Steelyard on November 29th, with a victory in that match sending them through to a two-legged championship final meeting with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.