Jeonbuk Claim Maiden K-League Title
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By Staff Writer
Dec 6 2009 22:55
JEONBUK Motors have been crowned K-League champions for the first time in their history following a 3-1 play-off final win over Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma today.
Brazilian star Eninho was the hero at Jeonju World Cup Stadium with two first-half goals that Seongnam never looked likely to come back from.
The 2006 Asian Champions League winners, who drew 0-0 in Seongnam in the first leg, attacked from the start and took the lead in style midway through the first half.
Eninho slammed home an unstoppable free-kick from outside the area that set the Greens on their way against the seven-time champions.
The K-League trophy looked to be in the bag six minutes before the break.
Good work from Choi Tae-wook on the left found the Brazilian inside the area and Eninho made no mistake, shooting past the Seongnam goalkeeper.
With 18 minutes remaining, Lee Dong-gook grabbed goal number 21 of the season from the penalty spot to send the home fans into party mode and ensure Kim Jin-young's strike after 84 minutes was scant consolation for the visitors.
"It is a great feeling to bring the title to Jeonju for the first time," said Jeonbuk coach Choi Kang-hee.
"I want to say thank you to the players who gave their best this season and the fans who supported us throughout the season."
Lee Dong-gook added: "It was more important to finish first in the regular league than win today.
"But after we went 3-0 up, we knew we had won the trophy and it has been a great season for the team."
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