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Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH , The reigning champions Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia drew 1-1 with Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan in the first leg of the AFC Champions League final in Riyadh on Saturday.
Saudi Arabia’s World Cup star Salem Al-Dawsari opened the scoring before he was sent off in the final minutes in a disappointing match for Al-Hilal. The Asian Champions League title will be hanging in the balance when the second leg is played at Saitama Stadium, Japan on May 6 after the Urawa Red Diamonds return home with a valuable away goal.
Both sides made a series of substitutions late in the match seeking an edge, and Al-Hilal came close through Moussa Marega. But a frustration kick-out by Al-Dawsari saw him red-carded by the referee with three minutes remaining. He will be forced to sit out in the second leg of the final match that will be crucial in deciding the club champions of Asia.
Covered in a sea of blue, the King Fahd International Stadium erupted in the 13th minute when Al-Dawsari put the hosts in front, connecting with a Michael Delgado cross to find the top corner of the net with a left-footed effort. He gave the defending champions an early lead, but the Japanese team equalized through Shinzo Koroki after a defensive gag seven minutes after the first half break,
Al-Dawsari almost doubled the lead in the 25th minute of the match when Odion Ighalo dribbled into the box and gifted him a clear chance but the Saudi international star could not capitalise.
A reinvigorated Urawa took to the pitch in the second half and soon found the equalizer through Koroki in the 53rd minute. A long ball deflected off Ali Al-Bulayhi tricked his advancing Al-Hilal goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Muaiouf and rebounded off the post, only to land at the feet of Koroki, who reacted immediately to score for the first time against Al-Hilal.
Al Hilal tried to retaliate quickly but a Michael header in the 60th minute was easily captured by Urawa goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa. Moussa Marega blasted a low shot that was inches wide as Al-Hilal missed another opportunity at the 66-minute mark.
Ramon Diaz’s men received a major blow when Al-Dawsari was sent off in the 86th minute. Iwao pulled Al-Dawsari down and fell on top of him before the Al-Hilal winger pushed him off him by kicking him in the stomach. It was an immediate red from Omani referee Ahmed Al-Kaf and it left Al-Dawsari reeling. The video assistant referee confirmed the validity of the referee’s decision.
It’s the third time that Al-Hilal and Urawa Reds have faced off for the title of best team in Asia. They split the last two final meetings in 2017 when Urawa Reds won 2–1 on aggregate, and 2019 when Al-Hilal won 3–0 on aggregate.
Al-Hilal are record four-time Champions League winners and the defending title holders of the competition, having defeated South Korea’s Pohang Steelers for the 2021 title. Although the Saudi Arabian side will be the favourites, the defensively stout Urawa haven’t lost in 11 matches since a 2-0 league defeat to Yokohama on February 25.
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