Coach Jorge Fossati has warned Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors against underestimating his Al Sadd side ahead of Saturday's AFC Champions League final.

Al Sadd arrived in Korea Republic on Thursday evening following a 16-hour journey from Qatar leaving Fossati less than 48 hours to prepare his side for the weekend's meeting at Jeonju World Cup Stadium - a venue where Jeonbuk are unbeaten in six games in the competition this season.

But while Fossati is well aware of the task facing Al Sadd on Saturday against a free-scoring Jeonbuk side, the well-travelled Uruguayan insists his side are also a force to be reckoned with as they bid to become the first qualifiers to win the continental title.

"The teams who have made it to the final in this type of competition have earned their place," said Fossati, who guided Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League last year.

"Jeonbuk are a very good team, and we must take care and respect them, but they must respect and take care with us."

Al Sadd arrived in Korea with virtually a full-strength side with Ivorian forward Abdul Kader Keita and Senegalese striker Mamadou Niang back from suspension and only Mesaad Al Hamad ruled out after the midfielder suffered a broken nose during the ill-tempered semi-final first leg win over Korea's Suwon Samsung Bluewings last month.

In contrast to 2006 AFC Champions League winners Jeonbuk who have hit 31 goals in 11 games in the competition, Al Sadd have scored just 12 goals since the group stage, although the return of Niang is a significant boast with the Senegalese striker having scored three goals in his three appearances in the AFC Champions League this season since joining from Turkish champions Fenerbahce ahead of the quarter-final win over Iran's Sepahan.

"It is a long trip and the players are tired," added Fossati. "This is my main concern, to make sure they recover between now and the time of the game."

Fossati is no stranger to success with 1989 Asian Club Championship winners Al Sadd having masterminded an unpredicted quadruple in 2007 during his first spell in charge as the Doha giants won the league, Sheikh Jassim Cup, Crown Prince Cup, and the Emir of Qatar Cup.