Ulsan Hyundai won the AFC Champions League

After an intense battle between the best of east and west of Asia,

won the

AFC Champions League

. The Iranian team came to the final after conceding only 2 goals since the competition resumption while the Korean team had an impressive run of victories as they managed to get 8 consecutive wins.

The game started in Ulsan’s favor as they were the better team. They tried to create goal-scoring chances but their best shot was blocked by the post. A costly mistake by the Korean side’s defender gave the opportunity to Mehdi Abdi to score

’s first goal in AFC Champions League’s final. It was the first goal in the game and the first one in Perspolis history as well.

The Reds could not celebrate long as a foul by Ahmad Noorollahi convinced the VAR to call the referee. After checking the incident, the young Qatari referee decided to give a penalty to Ulsan. Junior took the penalty which was saved by Lak, Perspolis goalkeeper but Junior Negrao scored Ulsan’s first goal from the rebound.

The second half was not as interesting as the first one as both teams looked tired. A cross from the right side gave away the second penalty to Ulsan Hyundai as Shiri touched the ball by his hand. Negrao however scored the penalty comfortably this time and that was enough for the Korean side to lift the trophy. Perspolis dominated the game after conceding the second goal but they were not creative enough as most of their crosses from the left flank were either blocked or intercepted.

Ulsan Hyundai’s second continental victory marks the sixth time a Korean side has won the AFC Champions League since its rebranding in 2002-03 and the first since Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' triumph in 2016.