A 1-0 first-leg win, and importantly no away goals conceded, can be seen as a positive for Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, who in their previous final appearances drew (2017) and lost (2014) the first legs.

However, Urawa, too, may see the result as somewhat satisfactory. Missing their first choice goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa through a one-match suspension, and on the back foot for most of the tie, a single goal deficit with a trip to their home fortress to come may be deemed acceptable.

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.

Al Hilal secured a 1-0 win over Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds in the first leg at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh on Saturday.

André Carrillo's 60th minute header separated the sides at the end of the 90 minutes, although Al Hilal could have well won by a bigger margin.

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.

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.

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.

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.