After defeating Al-Hilal 1-0 on Saturday and prevailing 2-1 on aggregate, Urawa Red Diamonds won the Asian Champions League for the third time. Andre Carrillo’s own goal gave the Japanese team the victory.

Despite Al-Hilal leading for extended stretches prior to Urawa’s victory, the Japanese team added the crown to the trophies they won in 2007 and 2017. Carrillo’s error three minutes into the second half turned the match in Urawa’s favor.

Shinzo Koroki’s equalizer last Saturday gave his club the advantage by giving them an away goal in the 1-1 draw in Riyadh, giving Urawa the upper hand heading into the second leg at Saitama Stadium.

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Salman Al Faraj was injured and Salem Al Dawsari was suspended, thus the Saudis dominated the first 45 minutes of the second leg. Odion Ighalo’s opening shot had to be cleared off the line by Urawa’s Alexander Scholz.

In a tense opening for the hosts, goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa had to make saves to stop Brazilian winger Michael and Carrillo.

The attacker emerged unmarked in the penalty area to meet Hiroki Sakai’s enticing cross from the right, but it was Urawa who came the closest to ending the score when Koroki’s soaring volley crashed against the crossbar.

After Marius Hoibraten’s wind-assisted header across goal sent the Al-Hilal defense into a frenzy, Urawa did take the lead three minutes into the second half when Carrillo pushed the ball into his own net, much to the pleasure of the 53,574 spectators.
In a tense opening for the hosts, goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa had to make saves to stop Brazilian winger Michael and Carrillo.

The attacker emerged unmarked in the penalty area to meet Hiroki Sakai’s enticing cross from the right, but it was Urawa who came the closest to ending the score when Koroki’s soaring volley crashed against the crossbar.
After Marius Hoibraten’s wind-assisted header across goal sent the Al-Hilal defense into a frenzy, Urawa did take the lead three minutes into the second half when Carrillo pushed the ball into his own net, much to the pleasure of the 53,574 spectators.
Both Jose Kante and Kaito Yasui came close to adding a second goal for the home team, but their shots missed Abdullah Al Muaiouf’s net.

Al-Hilal, attempting to win a record-extending fifth Asian championship, were denied the chance to force extra time in the 90th minute as Nishikawa responded to save Igahlo’s goal-bound attempt and Urawa managed to hang on.