South Korea's Pohang Steelers were crowned kings of Asia on Saturday after a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad in the Asian Champions League final in Tokyo.

Pohang's continental triumph was their first since the tournament was revamped in 2002. The K-League side won the ACL's forerunner -- the Asian Club Championship -- in 1997 and 1998.

Al Ittihad had slightly the better of a tight first half at National Stadium but Pohang broke the deadlock on 57 minutes through No Byung Jun's free kick, and the South Koreans doubled the lead nine minutes later thanks to Kim Hyung Il's header.

Two-time champions Al Ittihad, who ended Japanese interest in the competition with an 8-3 aggregate win over Nagoya Grampus in the semifinals, reduced the arrears when inspirational skipper Mohammed Noor fired home from close range.

Al Ittihad's Hitcham Aboucherouane went close to equalizing with a free kick in stoppage time but Pohang held firm to earn $1.5 million in prize money and a spot at the lucrative World Club Cup in Abu Dhabi next month.