Who are they? Seongnam Illhwa Chunma
Where are they from? Seongnam, South Korea
How did they qualify? As 2010 Asian Champions League winners
There seems to be a trend in Asian club football at the moment where South Korean clubs often take away the limelight from their much lauded Japanese cousins; clubs from the country have picked up the last two Asian Champions Leagues titles on offer. In both finals they faced Middle Eastern teams, and on both occasions nothing but a comprehensive victory was the outcome.
Formally based in the city of Seoul itself, and after that Cheonan, Illhwa Chunma finally settled on the capital satellite city of Seongnam in 1999, where they have been met with rousing support, winning four of their six domestic titles, leading them to become the most successful team in the K-League’s history. However the Korean side have been without domestic glory since 2006, with their closest effort being a runners-up finish in 2009.
Expectations
As is always the case with Asian teams in the Club World Cup, Seongnam will and should be considered dark horses for the final. Although a potential meeting with Italy’s Internazionale lingers on the horizon, there is no reason why the Korean side cannot take the fight to the Nerazzurri and potentially upset the inconsistent European champions.
For though, a likely meeting with Arab club Al Wahda awaits, whom Seongnam should account for if they are able to maintain the same form and motivation that brought them their continental trophy only a month ago. However, with home support being a factor for their United Arab Emirates based opponents, Seongnam will have a battle on their hands to reach the semi-finals.
Key Players
Sasa Ognenovski – Defender: The Seongnam captain has been immense for the Pegasus with solid defensive displays and a penchant for popping up with important goals for his team. Ognenovski scored a towering header against Zob Ahan in the Asian Champions League final to give the Korean side the lead, and stood out with a man of the match and man of tournament performance. The Australian is one to look out for, although he could have some trouble against quicker forwards.
Mauricio Molina – Striker: The Colombian international was the second highest scorer in the Asian Champions League behind Suwon’s Jose Mota, with seven goals that largely propelled Seongnam to the final. A very important brace from the 30-year-old former Red Star Belgrade striker, in a 4-3 loss in the semi-final, led to an away goals victory against Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab
Coach
Shin Tae-Yong: A former national team player, Shin has done remarkably well in his first managerial appointment. After serving somewhat of an apprenticeship at Australian A-League club Brisbane Roar (then Queensland Roar) Shin took up the reigns at Seongnam, a club where he had spent 12 years of his professional career, making over 280 appearances.
Since he settled into the dugout, Seongnam have been a force to be reckoned with in the K-League, and marched to second in the table in his first season in charge. There is a strong case which points to it being his influence that helped secure the signature of Sasa Ognenovski, himself a former Roar player, that has had such a positive effect on the club.
Now with an Asian Champions League title to his name, there would be few in South Korea that won’t be backing the former midfielder to go into the history books with his beloved Chunma.
Prediction
Providing they avoid a Champions League hangover, Seongnam are set to rattle the establishment just as their countrymen Pohang did the year before, taking Argentines, Estudiantes to their limits in a narrow 2-1 loss.
The Korean giants should get past Al-Wahda, but the imposing Inter will probably be a bridge too far; they could make the Italian sweat though.
