Urawa seeking third title in Asian Champions League final

By: The Associated Press Posted: 3:07 AM CST Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019 Last Modified: 11:00 AM CST Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019

Advertise with us

SAITAMA, Japan - Urawa Reds head into the second leg of the Asian Champions League final against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal on Sunday aiming to become the first three-time winners.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

SAITAMA, Japan - Urawa Reds head into the second leg of the Asian Champions League final against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal on Sunday aiming to become the first three-time winners.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/11/2019 (2458 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SAITAMA, Japan – Urawa Reds head into the second leg of the Asian Champions League final against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal on Sunday aiming to become the first three-time winners.

A second-half goal from Andre Carrillo Diaz gave Al Hilal a 1-0 win over Urawa in the first leg in Riyadh on Nov. 10.

“Al Hilal may have dominated but the match ended 1-0,” Urawa coach Tsuyoshi Otsuki said. “We played that game with an aim and I think we finished it with a result that gives us a realistic chance to fight in Saitama.”

Al Hilal's Salem Al Dawsari, left, fights for the ball with Urawa Reds' Sakine Takahiro during the first leg of the AFC Champions League final soccer match between Al Hilal and Urawa Red at King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. Al Hilal won 1-0. (AP Photo)

Urawa, which also won the competition in 2007, will be hoping for a repeat of the 2017 final when it beat Al Hilal 1-0 and 2-1 in aggregate to be crowned champion again.

In addition to the Asian Champions League final, Urawa has other concerns.

Urawa is near the J-League’s drop zone with just two games to play and, should results go against it on Saturday, the Japanese side could go into the second leg looking over its shoulders.

Urawa sits 13th in the J-League and is six points above Matsumoto Yamaga in 17th, one of two automatic relegation positions.

Al Hilal, meanwhile, is seeking its first continental title.

“We are in a good position at the moment, but we must concentrate in the second leg,” forward Salem Al Dawsari said. “We will not be fooled with the level of Urawa in the first match as they are a strong team and we must double our efforts.”

But unlike two years ago, the Riyadh club has the lead to defend, and starts the final knowing Urawa must attack.

Urawa Reds' Sakine Takahiro, right, fights for the ball with Al Hilal's Andre Diaz during the first leg of the AFC Champions League final soccer match between Al Hilal and Urawa Red at King Fahd stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. Al Hilal won 1-0. (AP Photo)

In its two previous Asian Champions League finals, Urawa did not concede a goal in the home second legs and wound up lifting the trophy in front of its supporters.

With goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa back in the starting lineup after serving a one-match ban, Otsuki’s team will be looking for more home-field success in what is expected to be a sold-out Saitama Stadium.

___

More AP soccer https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports