Choi: K-League title makes up for ACL defeat

Jeonbuk Motors boss Choi Kang-Hee lavished praise on his side after claiming the 2011 K-League Championship on Sunday.

Jeonbuk scored a 2-1 win over Ulsan Hyundai, which completed a 4-2 aggregate victory after they also claimed the first leg 2-1.

Choi’s team were also favourites for last month’s AFC Champions League final which they lost on penalties to Qatar club Al Sadd.

Indeed, Choi was full of praise for his men, who fell a goal behind before second-half strikes from Eninho and Luiz Enrique secured the Korean crown for the second time in three years.

“It is always difficult to become a champion. After the defeat in the AFC Champions League, all the players had a hard time but we were revived by the win in the first leg,” Choi said.

“We were mentally strong enough. The will was there. We are now the champions again after two years and now we can be the dominant force in K-League.”

Meanwhile, defeated Ulsan boss Kim Ho-Gon said his side’s inability to hold onto their lead cost them, having conceded a penalty just six minutes after Seol Ki-Hyeon put them ahead.

“We played very well today but we gave away a goal too easily right after we scored the first goal. That was the turning point of the match,” Kim said.

Kim added: “I am proud of my players. They had to play five matches in a short period, but they all fought until the end.”