Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Coach Ramon Diaz is banking on the experience of Al Hilal players to carry the team through in what he expects to be a tense match as his side welcome Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the first leg of the 2017 AFC Champions League final.
The Saudi side reached their second AFC Champions League final in four years with an emphatic 6-2 aggregate victory over Persepolis in the semi-final, and Diaz believes that result demonstrated the type of mental resilience he expects to see on Saturday.
“We have a group of experienced players like our captain Osama Hawsawi (pictured below), who is the most capped Saudi player,” explained the Argentine.
“They understand how to remain calm and composed in big occasions. Many of our players have the experience of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup and the experience of reaching this final.
“The semi-final first leg was a prime example; we had a player sent off early in the second half, but we still went on to score two more goals and win 4-0.
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