Jeonbuk Motors\' Players celebrate their 1st goal in the game Jeonbuk Motors reached the 2011 AFC Champions League final as a 2-1 win against ten-man Al Ittihad at Jeonju World Cup Stadium gave them a 5-3 aggregate success. Leading 3-2 from the first leg in Saudi Arabia, two goals from Eninho in the first half put the Korea Republic team further in control following the early dismissal of Al Ittihad striker Naif Hazazi.
Al Ittihad, Champions League winners in 2004 and 2005, were in trouble after 11 minutes. Hazazi scored both goals for his team in the first leg but after tangling with Cho Sung-Hwan he appeared to headbutt the Jeonbuk captain, and the referee had no hesitation in showing a red card.
Motors increase advantage
Jeonbuk made their advantage count after 22 minutes when Jung Sung-Hoon headed the ball forward from near the centre circle and Eninho wriggled past Osama Al Harbi, holding off the Saudi defender to advance into the area and fire a low shot past Mabrouk Zaid.
The home side pushed forward and were almost caught just before the half-hour mark. Jorge Paolo was found in space on the right side and the Portuguese player\'s low cross evaded the Jeonbuk defence to find Mohammed Noor, who looked certain to score from close range, only for Kim Min-Sik to get across to make a fine save.
Jeonbuk almost extended their lead in spectacular fashion. A corner from Eninho was headed clear only as far as Jung Hoon just outside the penalty area, and the midfielder\'s fierce looping volley cannoned back off the post. Jung Sung-Hoon sent the rebound towards goal but his shot was deflected by a desperate diving block.
Eninho doubles lead
Eninho then produced a moment of magic nine minutes before the break. The Brazilian curled his left-sided corner directly into the roof of the visitors\' net despite the attempts of Zaid and Mishal Al Saeed at the near post.
Despite the odds being against them, the visitors were still fighting in the second half. Paolo exchanged passes with Noor on the edge of the penalty area but his shot lacked the required precision.
Jeonbuk were happy to bide their time and exploit the gaps in the Saudi backline. Midway through the half Jung Hoon shot over when in a one-on-one situation with Zaid and two team-mates screaming for the ball.
Just as the game looked over, Wendel swept home from close range with 17 minutes remaining to ensure a few nerves, but Jeonbuk held on for the win despite seeing substitute Krunoslav Lovrek dismissed for a second bookable offence late in the game.