The 2nd Leg of the showpiece AFC Champions League Final takes place this coming Saturday evening. Jeonbuk Hyundai represent South Korea and the K League are leading after the 1st leg 2-1, but Al Ain have a vital away goal. The competition was split into Western and Eastern Zones right up until now. Jeonbuk Hyundai of course finished the K League Classic in 2nd place following a dramatic final day of the season and will be looking to bounce back here and take home some silverware. Al Ain from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates previously won the AFC Champions League back in 2003 (the first ever as the Champions League) and will be looking for their 2nd continental title.
Full Details on the 1st Leg CLICK HERE
The game kicks off at 11.25pm Korea Time on Saturday evening, here is our brief preview, head-to-head details and prediction for Al Ain FC vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai;
Al Ain FC vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai (Saturday November 26th 2016)
Al Ain FC:
As previously mentioned Al Ain won the AFC Champions League once before back in 2003, they have also won the UAE Pro-League a record 12 times. They edged though the group stages finishing 2nd in their group. They then beat Zob Ahan (Iran), Lokomotiv Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and then El Jaish (Qatar) to make the final. Their league season has only recently begun where they sit 4th but undefeated with 4 wins and 1 draw so far. Their last local game was in the League Cup where they drew 2-2 against Beni Yas.
Key Player: Emirati International Omar Abdulrahman is the main playmaker for Al Ain, he’s created the Al Ain goal in the first leg. Another player to look out for is former Pohang Midfielder Lee Myung-Joo, who brings K League experience to the team.
Jeonbuk Hyundai:
Jeonbuk have won the AFC Champions once before 10 years ago, they also reached the final back in 2011. They fell apart toward the end of the domestic season losing the title on the final day of the season. They were champions 2 seasons previous. They topped their group but did lose twice. In the knockout rounds they beat Melbourne Victory, Shanghai SIPG and finally K League rivals FC Seoul to make the final. The K League season recently finished so the team will be match-fit but maybe a little tried from traveling.
Key Player: 30 year old Brazilian winger Leonardo is playing his 5th season for Jeonbuk and scored both of Jeonbuk’s goal during the 1st leg. Also Veteran forward Lee Dong-Gook (37) maybe playing in his final game.
Head-to-Head:
These sides have only played each other once before, which was the first leg. So Jeonbuk have a 100% record over Al Ain.
Prediction:
Jeonbuk Hyundai 1 – 0 Al Ain FC
Jeonbuk Hyundai will need a result in this first league before traveling to the Middle East next weekend. We see a close game, with Jeonbuk scoring late in the 1st half and holding on to that advantage.
Al Ain FC vs. Jeonbuk Hyundai – Result & More
Al Ain FC 1 – 1 Jeonbuk Hyundai
Jeonbuk Hyundai held on to claim their 2nd ever AFC Champions League title over Al Ain in Abu Dhabi. The game finished 1-1 and therefore 3-2 to Jeonbuk Hyundai on aggregate. They now will play in the World Club Cup in Japan next Month.
Highlights:
Finally
For information on the all of our previous K League Round by Round Previews and More: CLICK HERE
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Tim
Modern Seoul
tim@modernseoul.org
Modern Seoul 