Brazilian striker Denilson, right, believes the strength of his team lies in its depth [AFP]

Brazilian striker Denilson is Pohang's top scorer this Champions League campaign with seven goals.

Denilson is very familiar with Ittihad and Saudi football after spending six seasons with three clubs in neighbouring United Arab Emirates up until 2005.

"I know Ittihad well by reputation and I've seen them play many times,'' said Denilson, whose previous clubs include Feyenoord and Paris St. Germain.

"They're a very experienced side with many Saudi internationals. They've all played together for a long time, as players in Saudi don't change clubs that much.''

"However, we're also very strong and our team are young,'' he added.

"We've played a lot of games this year and one of our strengths is that almost any player on our team can score.''

Top spot

Pohang's Brazilian coach Sergio Farias, since joining the club in 2005, has guided the Steelers to a K-League title in 2007, a Korean FA Cup in 2008 and this year's League Cup.

"Every team wants to be the champions in any event they compete in, but we really want to be the best team in Asia,'' said Farias, whose side has also qualified for the final stages of this year's K-League playoffs.

"Last year, we played in the AFC Champions League for the first time and didn't get past the group stage, but our players have grown up since then and gained experience.''

Tokyo's National Stadium is a ground that holds some significance for Al Ittihad coach Gabriel Calderon of Argentina.

Calderon's last visit to National Stadium was in 1979, when he lined up with Diego Maradona to win the final of the under-20 World Cup.

"It was 30 years ago and this is my first time in Tokyo since then, so I would like to repeat that success in the AFC Champions League final.

"So far, I have a 100 percent record at the National Stadium,'' said Calderon, who graduated to represent Argentina at the 1982 and 1990 World Cup tournaments.

Experienced side

Calderon says Al Ittihad has an advantage over Pohang - Saturday's line-up including several veterans of the 2004 and 2005 Champions League-winning teams, as well as the side that reached the 2005 Fifa Club World Cup semi-finals at National Stadium.

Captain Mohammed Noor, midfielders Saudi Khariri and Manaf Aboshgair, centre backs Redha Takar and Hamad Al Montashari, and goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid remain from the side that beat African champions Al Ahly in the quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Sao Paolo.

"It's great that we have so many top players that have played in the AFC Champions League final before, as they know what it's all about,'' Calderon said.

"It's very important to have players with experience and the experience of winning.''

Lanky Macedonia international Stevica Ristik will add firepower to a Pohang side that will feature three players up front in Tokyo.

"Ristik is likely to play. Al Ittihad know us. Our formation and our line-up is not a secret,'' Farias said.

"We've used basically the same line-up for the past three AFC Champions League matches, although we may have small changes.''

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