Al Hilal were good value for the win and could have won by a bigger margin but the fact that, said Otsuki, the Saudi Arabia side didn't gives Urawa a fighting chance in the November 24 return leg in Saitama.

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.

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.

The players from Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds and Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia will have the chance to emboss their name on the proud history of the AFC Champions League, joining a list of legends who wowed the Continent.

Ahead of the first leg clash at King Saud University Stadium, we look back at five of those who seized their moment in the spotlight and ensured they would become AFC Champions League Final icons.

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.