Pohang Steelers coach eyes Club World Cup

Pohang Steelers coach Sergio Farias is eyeing next month’s Club World Cup after his side won their third continental crown to become the most successful side in Asian football history.

The South Korean outfit shocked two-time champions Al Ittihad 2-1 to lift the AFC Champions League for the first time Saturday, adding to their titles in the former Asian Club Championship in 1997 and 1998.

Their win in Tokyo’s National Stadium over the Saudi giants means they are the first team to win three continental trophies and Farias said he hoped it would inspire Korean football to new heights.

Second-half goals from No Byung-Jun and Kim Hyung-Il sealed a 2-1 victory and Farias now wants South Korean football to become the dominant force in Asia. Pohang’s win follows victory for South Korea’s Jeonbuk Motors in 2006.

“This victory proves that Korean football is evolving but that there is room for improvement,” said the Brazilian.

“So I hope this triumph will trigger the players and clubs to open up their eyes to understand the necessity of improving their football.”

“A football club needs to use all their potential to win a title,” he added.

“When I first came to this team technically they were good but they were not as competitive.

“You have to have both technical and physical aspects but you have to achieve results, results are everything in football. We want to play football that is beautiful to watch but also achieve results.”

Following a tight first half, Pohang took the lead when No’s 25-yard free-kick found the net and they doubled their lead with a header from another set piece.

The Saudis hit back through Mohammed Noor with 16 minutes to go but could not level the scores.

Now Farias will take his charges to the Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, featuring heavyweights Barcelona, the European champions, and Estudiantes, winners of the Copa Libertadores.

“For sure, it is a dream for every club to take part in the Club World Cup, especially for us,” he said.

“We know our team’s potential. I cannot say how far we can reach, but we will do our best,” Farias added.

But before the team travel to the Middle East, Farias said Pohang were bidding for victory in the K-League. They qualified for the play-offs after finishing second in the regular season.

“We are going to aim for our second league victory (since he became coach). We know what we must do in our preparation for the Club World Cup,” Farias said.

And looking further into the future, Farias said he wants to be involved in the World Cup in his native Brazil in 2014.

“I also want to take part in the World Cup as a coach. I started my coaching career quite early, so I think I will have a chance some day. Hopefully, it will be the Brazil World Cup in 2014,” said Farias, who guided Brazil to the quarter-finals of the 2001 under-17 World Cup

Al Ittihad’s Argentinian coach Gabriel Calderon congratulated Pohang on their win.

“I don’t know how Pohang will play in the Club World Cup, but they are an attacking team, so I think they will give a really a good performance,” said Calderon, who played in the 1982 and 1990 World Cups for Argentina.