6/5/2023–|Last Updated: 6/5/202305:43 PM (Makkah)
Saudi club Al-Hilal lost the AFC Champions League title today Saturday, losing 1-0 to Japanese club “Urawa Red Diamonds” in the second leg of the finals in Saitama.
The defeat for Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia – the 4-time Asian champions and last season’s defending champions – came in the 48th minute thanks to Al-Hilal midfielder Andre Carrillo’s reverse goal in his team’s goal.
Carrillo accidentally scored an own goal#AsiaChampionsLeague #Prai _ Urava pic.twitter.com/IDIiR2WzIw
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 6, 2023
Al-Hilal equalized with a goal at home last week against the Japanese side, who won the title for the third time in their history after 2007 and 2017, and lost 2-1.
The coronation of the relationship came with a similar display to the one 6 years ago when it drew with Al Hilal in the first leg with a goal apiece and then won the second leg with a goal apiece.
AFC Champions League crowning ceremony for Japan’s Urawa #AsiaChampionsLeague #Prai _ Urava pic.twitter.com/mvaaVRSZHt
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 6, 2023
Al-Hilal player Abdullah Atif said, “We apologize to the fans. Our fans deserve more than that, God’s fate and what He wanted. We could have made a better decision in the first half. We apologize. The fans, and God willing, we will compensate them in the next season.”
Al-Hilal, who beat Urawa 3-0 in the 2019 Champions League final, were the better side for most of the match, pressing from the start and coming close to scoring on several occasions, one of them thanks to a powerful shot. From Peruvian midfielder Carrillo, but it turned out to be a kick. Corner in the 42nd minute, but after the break, the Al-Hilal player accidentally scored into his own net.
Carrillo’s brilliant shot was brilliantly saved by the Urawa goalkeeper#AsiaChampionsLeague #Prai _ Urava pic.twitter.com/lgZfllmY8J
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 6, 2023
Al-Hilal pressed at full strength and put a lot of pressure on Urawa, especially in the last minutes, Odion Ighalo had a dangerous goal in the 90th minute, but goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa brilliantly saved it with his leg.
Muhammad Abu Drika: Excellent first half for Al Hilal#AsiaChampionsLeague #Prai _ Urava pic.twitter.com/c2D0w1BtJt
– beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) May 6, 2023
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