Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
How they qualified: 3rd - K-League 2011; beat Chonburi (THA) 2-0 in play-off
Established 1973
Nickname Steelers
Home stadium Pohang Steelyard (25,000)
Website www.steelers.co.kr
Club Honours
AFC Champions League winners 1 - 2009
Asian Club Championship winners 2 - 1997, 98
K-League champions 4 - 1986, 88, 92, 2007
Korean FA Cup winners 2 - 1996, 2008
K-League Cup winners 2 - 1993, 2009
Previous ACL appearances
2008 - Group stage
2009 - Champions
2010 - Quarter-finals
Pohang Steelers made history in 2009 when they became the first team to be crowned Asian champions on three occasions after their 2-1 victory over Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia in the AFC Champions League final in Tokyo.
The Korean club went on to finish third at the FIFA Club World Cup but they failed to build on that success following the departure of several key players in 2010 including skipper Hwang Jae-won, full-back Choi Hyo-jin and import forwards Denilson and Stevica Ristic.
Perhaps the biggest loss was that of Brazilian manager Sergio Farias, who left for Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli after five successful seasons at Pohang. His replacement, Waldemar Lemos, was sacked after a woeful start to the 2010 season in which the Steelers reached the AFC Champions League quarter-finals but finished ninth in the K-League and missed the play-offs for the first time in five years.
Club legend Hwang Sun-hong was hired as head coach after that disappointing campaign and the former Korea Republic striker turned around the fortunes of the Steelers as they battled for top spot in the table with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors throughout the 2011 season before they eventually settled for second place.
Defeat to Ulsan Hyundai in the K-League championship semi-finals meant that they had to negotiate the play-offs to secure a spot in the group stage of the AFC Champions League. However, they confirmed their place with a straightforward 2-0 win over Thailand's Chonburi in February.
Expectations
Hwang Sun-hong has restored stability at the club after a turbulent 2010 and his team could have lifted the K-League title again if not for the red-hot form of Jeonbuk during the regular season and Ulsan in the play-offs. Despite the loss of some of their key men from 2009, Pohang still have plenty of experience in their squad, including goalkeeper Shin Hwa Yong and skipper Shin Hyung-min, who should help the club push on and challenge for international honours once again.
Coach
Hwang Sun-hong
Hwang Sun-hong spent six seasons as a striker with Pohang Steelers in the 1990s, winning a pair of Asian Club Championship titles in 1997 and 1998. Following his retirement in 2003, he began coaching at Chunnam Dragons and took up his first head coaching position at Busan I'Park in 2007. The 43-year-old failed to make a significant impact at Busan during his three seasons there but he has improved the fortunes of Pohang since taking charge last year.
Did you know?
Pohang effected a remarkable turn-around when they met Group E rivals Bunyodkor in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals in 2009. Trailing 3-1 from the first leg in Uzbekistan, the Steelers stormed back with three second-half goals in Pohang to take the lead. Victor Karpenko levelled the tie with a late strike for the Uzbeks but Stevica Ristic netted an extra-time winner as Pohang went on to win the tournament.
Key Player
Shin Hyung-min
Having turned professional with Pohang in 2008, Shin Hyung-min played a key role in the club's run to the AFC Champions League championship the following year. A versatile defender, who can be deployed either in the back four or as a defensive midfield, the 25-year-old Shin was named Pohang's captain for the 2012 season after Kim Hyung-il left the club to complete his national service.