Asia busca su campeón. Lejos de ser la manida frase para introducir una previa de la final del mayor torneo continental de clubes de la confederación asiática, es la realidad. Al Hilal (Arabia Saudí) y Pohang Steelers (Corea del Sur) se miden este martes 23 de noviembre (17.00h) a partido único en el país saudí en busca de la corona de la Champions League 2021... y de algo más.
The two contestants are the most laureate in the history of the competition.Both have won it three times: Al Hilal in 1991, 2000 and 2019 and Pohang Steelers in 1997, 1998 and 2009, so the 2021 final will reside who is the best team in Asia in history in the Zonal Champions League.
In addition, the winner will represent Asia at the last Club World Cup that is held in its 'traditional' format and will take place in December in the United Arab Emirates.
The stars are on the Saudi side
Probably, the most recognizable team for the Western amateur is Al Hilal, led by Leonardo Jardim, Portuguese coach of Ligue 1 with the Monaco and that has two strikers with a respectable European career: the Frenchman Gomis (formerfrom Lyon, Swansea, Marseille, Galatasaray ...) and Moussa Marega, Malian striker ex del Porto.Another footballer who could play a few minutes is André Carrillo, a Peruvian soccer player for several months and could reach the decisive game of the season.
Another one that is counted is with Matheus Pereira, Brazilian former of the West Brom and also have Luciano Vietto, Argentine former of Atlético de Madrid and Valencia, among others.
It remains to be seen how Jardim aligns to his foreign stars, since he has the limit in three foreign players at the same time (more other Asian, if he wanted to).Until now they had been playing Marega, Gomis and Pereira.
Despite the offensive potential, the defense is the basis of the Jardim team: they have only fit somewhat in the round of eighths, rooms and semifinals.
The efficacy, on the South Korean side
Far from the brightness 'gourmet' of his rival, Pohang Steelers focuses on South Korean efficacy: this will be his fourth continental final.The previous three ended with triumph for the whole of the East Asian zone.
Without great names in their workforce, they will seek to surprise a rival with more budget and stars and thus settle who the new king is.As a curiosity, notice that it will be the first time that the two most laureate teams of the Asian Champions are faced.
In the Stadium of King Fahd, before 68,000 spectators, house of the Saudi team, it will be decided this Tuesday, November 23 from 5:00 p.m., Spanish peninsular schedule, the Champion of the Champions League Asian 2021, the representative of Asia in the next World Cupof clubs ... and the most laureate team in the competition.
