#ACLFinal: Classic Second Legs

Mon, 01 May, 2023

#ACLFinal: Classic Second Legs

Kuala Lumpur: After the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Final between Al Hilal SFC and Urawa Red Diamonds ended 1-1, the tie is perfectly poised ahead of the return meeting at Saitama Stadium on Saturday in what promises to be another second leg to remember. 

Over the years, the continental competition has witnessed some gripping title deciders, with stunning comebacks, giant-killing upsets and incredible individual performances among the highlights. 
 
Ahead of the second leg of the AFC Champions League 2022 final between Al Hilal and Urawa, the-AFC.com takes a look at three memorable second-leg clashes from years gone by.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/great_acl_goals_denis_laktionov_2004.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/video/final_guangzhou_evergrande_vs_fc_seoul_afc_champions_league_2013_2nd_leg.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/final_al_hilal_vs_western_sydney_wanderers_afc_champions_league_2014_2nd_leg.html

Urawa looking to raise roof in second leg

Wed, 03 May, 2023

Urawa looking to raise roof in second leg

Tokyo: Urawa Red Diamonds are looking to "harness the power" of their boisterous fans when they host Al Hilal SFC in Saturday's AFC Champions League™ 2022 final second leg.

The two sides drew 1-1 in last week's first leg in Riyadh, with defending champions Al Hilal taking a 13th-minute lead through Salem Al Dawsari before Shinzo Koroki levelled for Urawa early in the second half.
 
Away goals count as a tie-breaker in the competition, and close to 60,000 fans will be at Saitama Stadium for the return leg.

8 key stats from the #ACL2022 Final first leg

Tue, 02 May, 2023

8 key stats from the #ACL2022 Final first leg

Riyadh: A tactical battle between Al Hilal SFC and Urawa Red Diamonds ended in a 1-1 draw at King Fahd International Stadium in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final last Saturday.

With both teams chasing a third crown since 2002-03, the destination of the title will be decided in Saitama on Saturday. The-AFC.com looks at eight interesting stats from the first leg. 

5 things we learned from the #ACL2022 Final first leg

Tue, 02 May, 2023

5 things we learned from the #ACL2022 Final first leg

Riyadh: A 1-1 draw at King Fahd International Stadium means it is all to play for between Al Hilal SFC and Urawa Red Diamonds when the two sides face-off on Saturday in the second leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final at Saitama 2002 Stadium.

Salem Al Dawsari opened the scoring for the reigning champions inside 13 minutes, taking advantage of a defensive mix-up. Shinzo Koroki restored parity and gave Urawa the away goal advantage eight minutes into the second half, leaving the title to be decided in the return fixture.
 
The-AFC.com looks at five things we learned from the clash in Riyadh.

Michael confident Al Hilal can finish the job in Saitama

Mon, 01 May, 2023

Michael confident Al Hilal can finish the job in Saitama

Riyadh: Brazilian forward Michael fully believes Al Hilal SFC will overcome Urawa Red Diamonds  in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final second leg at Saitama.

Salem Al Dawsari gave the defending champions a first half lead only for Urawa to level the tie through Shinzo Koroki at the King Fahd International Stadium.

Scholz wants Urawa Reds to show improvement

Mon, 01 May, 2023

Scholz wants Urawa Reds to show improvement

Riyadh: Alexander Scholz insists Urawa Red Diamonds must improve despite battling to a 1-1 draw in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final first leg on Saturday.

Japan's Urawa produced a second half fightback to deny Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia victory with Shinzo Koroki's 53rd minute goal cancelling Salem Al Dawsari’s 13th minute opener.

Diaz: Al Hilal will fight till the end

Sun, 30 Apr, 2023

Diaz: Al Hilal will fight till the end

Riyadh: Ramon Diaz didn’t hide his disappointment but the head coach was adamant that Al Hilal SFC are still very much in the race to lift the AFC Champions League™ 2022 title.

A dominant Al Hilal paid a heavy price against Urawa Red Diamonds in Saturday’s first leg, allowing the Japanese to fight back for a 1-1 draw and losing the talismanic Salem Al Dawsari to a red card at the King Fahd International Stadium.

Al Dawsari had given Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal the lead in the 13th minute and the defending champions looked set for a convincing victory, only for a mistake allowing Shinzo Koroki to score the equaliser in the 53rd minute.

Urawa filled with hope after tough first leg, says Skorza

Sun, 30 Apr, 2023

Urawa filled with hope after tough first leg, says Skorza

Riyadh: Maciej Skorza paid tribute to his Urawa Red Diamonds players for standing up to a dominant Al Hilal SFC in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final first leg on Saturday.

Al Hilal looked to well placed for a resounding victory after taking a 13th minute lead through Salem Al Dawsari but Urawa not only weathered the storm but equalised through Shinzo Koroki to force a 1-1 draw at the King Fahd International Stadium, leaving next week's second leg tantasilingly poised.