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.

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.

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.

While both teams undoubtedly deserve their place in the showpiece event, there are a number of key moments and perhaps even some strokes of luck that have helped them along the way. The-AFC.com has picked out six events that have contributed to the sides’ success in the 2019 campaign.

As the clock ticks down towards the highly anticipated re-match, the-AFC.com looks back at the 2017 clash, which saw the two teams competing in the final for the second time.