The hosts made their intentions clear from the start, controlling possession and building up pressure on their opponents, while Urawa kept a compact shape and looked to hit on the counter.

The first 20 minutes saw each side get a major opportunity, but heroic defending at both ends meant the goalkeepers would remain untested yet. Daisuke Suzuki threw his body to deflect Sebastian Giovinco’s shot 14 minutes into the game while Ali Al Bulayhi blocked Takahiro Sekine’s effort from inside the Al Hilal box three minutes later.

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.

It has been well documented that the tournament’s 10-goal leading scorer Bafetimbi Gomis of Al Hilal and Urawa Red Diamonds’ Shinzo Koroki (eight goals) are battling out for the top scorer accolade, but there are plenty more interesting numbers across the pitch.

Ahead of the first leg of the showpiece event at King Saud University Stadium, the-AFC.com has picked out 10 stats and facts to whet your appetite.

When Al Hilal take on Urawa Red Diamonds in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League final, it will be the sixth time Riyadh is hosting a final tie in the AFC Champions League or Asian Club Championship, a record bettered by no other city in the Continent and only matched by Bangkok.