While braced for a tough 90 minutes at the King Saud University Stadium, Otsuki said Urawa have been focused on producing a good performance in the first leg since qualifying for the final.

Two years ago, the two sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at King Fahd International Stadium, before Urawa snatched a 1-0 victory in the return leg in Saitama to lift the AFC Champions League trophy for the second time in their history.

Al Hilal have since moved base to King Saud University Stadium, where they welcome the Japanese side with both teams eyeing a result that can make their job less complicated when they lock horns again in two weeks' time.

Just as the class of 2007 did 12 years ago and, indeed, many of the current generation repeated in 2017, those that take to the field in the two games will be aiming to add their names to Urawa folklore.

Ahead of Saturday’s first leg at Riyadh’s King Saud University Stadium, the-AFC.com has selected three players who could be key to their side’s chances of being crowned kings of Asia once more.

Awaiting them will be two-time winners Urawa Red Diamonds, who denied Al Hilal their maiden AFC Champions League title in 2017, but head coach Razvan Lucescu said desire, not fear, is what the Saudi Arabia club will take into the final.

Nearly two decades since their last Asian triumph, Al Hilal are in the final for the third time after 2014 and 2017, and whether they have been part of the last two attempts, - one of them, or have recently joined the side, all the Al Hilal players know their names will be immortalised should they bring home the much coveted trophy.

Ahead of Saturday’s first leg at Riyadh’s King Saud University Stadium, the-AFC.com has selected three players who could be key to their side’s chances of finally assuming the Continental throne.

Twenty years ago, on 22 October, 1999, Japan's Jubilo Iwata faced off against Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad in the 1999 Asian Super Cup, among the first major club clashes between two of the Continent's heavyweight.

Two decades later, sides from the two countries are set to face off once more. We rewind the clock and review some of the memorable matches between the West Asia giants and the East Asia powerhouses.

Al Hilal coach Razvan Lucescu has prior experience of taking a side deep into the AFC Champions League after he led Qatar's El Jaish into the knockout stage of the 2013 edition, while Urawa's tactician Tsuyoshi Otsuki has been among the Urawa backroom staff during previous campaigns.

Nevertheless, the 2019 final will be the first time either will run the dugout in the most prestigious match in Asian club football. The-AFC.com profiles the men tasked with taking their teams to Asian glory.