#ACL - The Winners' Circle

Fri, 05 May, 2023

#ACL - The Winners' Circle

Saitama: Either Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds or Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia will be crowned the first three-time AFC Champions League™ winners when the two sides clash in the second leg of the 2022 final on Saturday.

As we await what promises to be a thriling decider at the Saitama 2002 Stadium, the-AFC.com takes a trip down memory lane to revisit the previous winners of the AFC Champions League era.
 
Since the tournament was rebranded in 2003, clubs from Australia, China PR, Japan, Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have all had the honour of lifting the coveted trophy. 

#ACL2022 Final 2nd Leg: What the teams need to do

Thu, 04 May, 2023

#ACL2022 Final 2nd Leg: What the teams need to do

Saitama: A 1-1 draw at King Fahd International Stadium in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final left both Al Hilal SFC and Urawa Red Diamonds with questions to be answered ahead of Saturday’s second leg at Saitama 2002 Stadium.

While Urawa have the relative advantage of an away goal, they will be fully aware of the need to make improvements on their display in Riyadh if they are to add to their two continental titles. For Al Hilal both a better performance and a better result are needed. The-AFC.com looks at areas where both sides need to improve going into the second leg.

#ACL2022 Final 2nd Leg: Game-changers

Thu, 04 May, 2023

#ACL2022 Final 2nd Leg: Game-changers

Saitama: The AFC Champions League™ 2022 final between Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SC and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds remains finely balanced as we head into Saturday’s all-important return leg at Saitama Stadium after the first meeting in Riyadh produced a memorable 1-1 draw. 

Salem Al Dawsari drew the first blood for defending champions Al Hilal in front of a 50,000-plus crowd at King Fahd International Stadium, but Maciej Skorza’s players came up with a response and nicked a vital away goal through veteran striker Shinzo Koroki to set up a riveting second leg encounter. 
 
With the title decider in Saitama promising to be a blockbuster affair, the-AFC.com takes a look at three players from both Al Hilal and Urawa who could determine whether the coveted continental silverware will stay put in Japan or catch a flight back to Riyadh. 

#ACLFinal: Classic Second Legs

Mon, 01 May, 2023

#ACLFinal: Classic Second Legs

Kuala Lumpur: After the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Final between Al Hilal SFC and Urawa Red Diamonds ended 1-1, the tie is perfectly poised ahead of the return meeting at Saitama Stadium on Saturday in what promises to be another second leg to remember. 

Over the years, the continental competition has witnessed some gripping title deciders, with stunning comebacks, giant-killing upsets and incredible individual performances among the highlights. 
 
Ahead of the second leg of the AFC Champions League 2022 final between Al Hilal and Urawa, the-AFC.com takes a look at three memorable second-leg clashes from years gone by.

8 key stats from the #ACL2022 Final first leg

Tue, 02 May, 2023

8 key stats from the #ACL2022 Final first leg

Riyadh: A tactical battle between Al Hilal SFC and Urawa Red Diamonds ended in a 1-1 draw at King Fahd International Stadium in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final last Saturday.

With both teams chasing a third crown since 2002-03, the destination of the title will be decided in Saitama on Saturday. The-AFC.com looks at eight interesting stats from the first leg. 

5 things we learned from the #ACL2022 Final first leg

Tue, 02 May, 2023

5 things we learned from the #ACL2022 Final first leg

Riyadh: A 1-1 draw at King Fahd International Stadium means it is all to play for between Al Hilal SFC and Urawa Red Diamonds when the two sides face-off on Saturday in the second leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final at Saitama 2002 Stadium.

Salem Al Dawsari opened the scoring for the reigning champions inside 13 minutes, taking advantage of a defensive mix-up. Shinzo Koroki restored parity and gave Urawa the away goal advantage eight minutes into the second half, leaving the title to be decided in the return fixture.
 
The-AFC.com looks at five things we learned from the clash in Riyadh.