AFC Champions League - Latest News

One Month to the Final - How They're Shaping Up: Al Hilal SFC

Tue, 28 Mar, 2023

One Month to the Final - How They're Shaping Up: Al Hilal SFC

Riyadh: Next week marks exactly one year since new signing Michael made the difference for Al Hilal SFC in a 2-1 scrappy win over Sharjah FC which launched their AFC Champions League™ and set them on a journey that is set to culminate in a third final date with Urawa Red Diamonds.

It has been a ride full of ups and downs for Asia’s most decorated club who are aiming to extend their record to five AFC Champions League titles, while preventing their final opponents from closing the gap to one title.
 
With just a month to go until the resumption of one of Asia’s greatest club rivalries when the first leg takes place at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, and having looked at how things are shaping up at Urawa, the-AFC.com reviews the status quo at King Fahd International Stadium.

One Month To The Final – How They're Shaping Up: Urawa Red Diamonds

Tue, 28 Mar, 2023

One Month To The Final – How They're Shaping Up: Urawa Red Diamonds

Saitama: It’s been more than seven months since Urawa Red Diamonds defeated Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on penalties to book their ticket to a fourth AFC Champions League™ final and, as it subsequently turned out, a third meeting with Al Hilal SFC in the showpiece event in the past six editions. 

Much has changed in that time, with a host of arrivals and departures at the Saitama club who, like their opponents, are aiming to become the first three-time winners of the competition in the AFC Champions League era, although the Saudi side did win a further two Asian Club Championships prior to 2002-03.
 
With just a month to go until the resumption of one of Asia’s greatest club rivalries when the first leg takes place at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh on April 29, the-AFC.com takes a look at how the two clubs are shaping up, starting with Urawa. 

#ACL2022 (West): What They Said

Wed, 01 Mar, 2023

#ACL2022 (West): What They Said

Doha: The West Zone of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 drew to a conclusion on Sunday with defending champions Al Hilal SFC confirming their spot in the final against Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds following an astonishing 7-0 semi-final win over Qatar’s Al Duhail SC.

The knockout stages, which were held in the centralised hub of Qatar, witnessed some fascinating matches over the past week. The-AFC.com takes a look back at what those involved had to say about the key moments. 

#ACL2022 - S-final (West): Facts & Figures

Mon, 27 Feb, 2023

#ACL2022 - S-final (West): Facts & Figures

Doha: Al Hilal SFC produced a spectacular performance to advance to the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final on Sunday.

Ramon Diaz's side emphatically defeated Qatar's Al Duhail SC 7-0 as the Saudi Arabian side advanced to their fourth final in six years.
 
The-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures.

Diaz confident of different outcome in Urawa rematch

Mon, 27 Feb, 2023

Diaz confident of different outcome in Urawa rematch

Doha: Ramon Diaz is confident of a different outcome when Al Hilal SFC play Urawa Red Diamonds in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final. 

The Argentine coach was in charge when Al Hilal suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Japanese side in the 2017 decider, losing 2-1 on aggregate.
 
Al Hilal, however, are a different side now from then as the Saudi Arabian side went on to lift the trophy twice - in 2019 and 2021 - and Diaz is confident they will become only the second side to emerge back-to-back champions in the AFC Champions League era. 

Al Duhail must learn from defeat, says Crespo

Mon, 27 Feb, 2023

Al Duhail must learn from defeat, says Crespo

Doha: Hernan Crespo raised his hand in defeat after Al Duhail SC were taught a sobering lesson by Al Hilal SFC in their AFC Champions League™ 2022 semi-final at the Al Thumama Stadium on Sunday.

The defending champions were in imperious form as they cruised to a 7-0 victory, leading to Crespo admitting that the Saudi Arabian side thoroughly deserved the win which booked them a final date with Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds. 

Ighalo: Fast start secured emphatic victory

Mon, 27 Feb, 2023

Ighalo: Fast start secured emphatic victory

Doha: Four-goal hero Odion Ighalo attributed Al Hilal SFC’s fast start for their sensational AFC Champions League™ 2022 semi-final win over Qatar's Al Duhail SC at the Thumama Stadium on Sunday.

Ighalo’s second-minute opener laid the groundwork for defending champions Al Hilal cruising to a 7-0 win, with the Saudi Arabian side taking a hefty five-goal lead into the half-time break. 

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2022_sfwest_-_al_duhail_qat_0-7_al_hilal_sfc_ksa.html

Sensational Al Hilal book final ticket in style

Mon, 27 Feb, 2023

Sensational Al Hilal book final ticket in style

Doha: Defending champions Al Hilal SFC will take on Urawa Red Diamonds in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final after Ramon Diaz’s side dismantled Qatar’s Al Duhail on Sunday with Odion Ighalo hitting four in a comprehensive 7-0 semi-final win at Al Thumama Stadium.

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal will host the first leg of the final in Riyadh on April 29 before travelling to Japan to take on Urawa at Saitama Stadium on May 6 and the four-time winners will be confident of retaining the title after a remarkable and ruthless display in Doha.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2022_west_|_semi-final_preview.html

Preview - SF: Al Duhail SC (QAT) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Sun, 26 Feb, 2023

Preview - SF: Al Duhail SC (QAT) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Doha: The AFC Champions League™ 2022 (West) Semi-final has all the ingredients to be a spectacular affair with Qatar’s Al Duhail SC to face Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia.

Al Hilal, the defending champions, are seeking to lift the trophy for the third time in four years while Al Duhail are in their maiden semi-final, with the winners to face Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, with the two-leg final to be played on April 29 and May 6. 

#ACL2022 West S-final: Facts & Stats

Sat, 25 Feb, 2023

#ACL2022 West S-final: Facts & Stats

Doha: Al Hilal SFC and Al Duhail SC are set for a thrilling showdown in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 (West) Semi-final on Sunday.

Defending champions AL Hilal of Saudi Arabia are seeking to win the title for the third time in four years while Al Duhail will be appearing in their first semi-final.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the key facts and stats ahead of the showdown at the Al Thumama Stadium