Urawa Red Diamonds are champions of Asia for a third time after they defeated holders Al Hilal 2-1 on aggregate in the Asian Champions League final on Saturday.
The Japanese side, who shared a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Riyadh last week, prevailed 1-0 in the return fixture at Saitama Stadium, where Andre Carillo’s own goal on 49 minutes proved enough.
The final represented the third time the two teams had met in the showpiece, after 2017 and 2019, with the rivalry now much like this year’s ultimate scoreline - sitting at 2-1 to Urawa.
Hilal, record winners of the continent’s principal club trophy, could not add to their four titles - they were attempting to capture the trophy for a third time in four years - although they will be left to rue a missed opportunity in injury-time.
With time running out for the visitors, Odion Ighalo's close-range shot was saved by Urawa goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa.
Hilal will take little comfort from being so dominant in the first half. The Saudi Arabian side made clear their intentions right from the off, when Ighalo saw his effort blocked on the line by Urawa centre-back Alexander Scholz. In the build-up, forward Abdullah Al Hamdan, in for the suspended Salem Al Dawsari, looked to have been tripped by Nishikawa, although the referee waved away Hilal’s protests.
Unperturbed, Ramon Diaz's men settled into their stride, Michael and Carillo forcing fine saves from Nishikawa, Ighalo failing to control a ball over the top, and Mohammed Kanno quickly drilling over.
However, Urawa offered a stark reminder of their danger on the counter. For all their defensive discipline in the opening 45 minutes, the hosts came closest to breaking the deadlock. Captain Hiroki Sakai lofted a cross to Shinzo Koroki, scorer of that precious away goal one week ago, but the veteran forward could only crash an acrobatic volley against the Hilal crossbar.
Yet, four minutes into the second half, Urawa made amends. Defender Marius Hoibraten headed a free-kick spinning across goal, Koroki missed with his connection and, as the ball spun towards the empty goal, Carillo could not prevent it from nestling in the Hilal net. It was deemed an own goal. Just like the first leg, the champions conceded not long after half-time.
For a time, Hilal looked ragged. But Urawa soon settled back into their defensive shape, asking their rivals to break them down, squeezing the space deep in their half.
Still, Tomaki Okubo found some at the other end, the Urawa midfielder racing clear on the right but blazing over. Minutes later, Atsuki Ito sent a superb shot from distance inches past the Hilal post.
As time drifted towards its conclusion, Hilal’s hold on the trophy disappeared from their grasp. They crowded the Urawa penalty area, but to little effect. Ighalo was not allowed to get away a shot through bodies; Michael fired his attempt way off target.
Right at the death, Hilal’s final chance was arguably their best. Ighalo rolled a defender, stared down Nishikawa, but smashed the ball straight at the Urawa stopper. Manager Diaz held his head in his hands.
And that was it. Hilal's bid for back-to-back successes was gone, Urawa's trio of titles secure. Unbeaten now in 13 matches, Maciej Scoria's turnaround of the team to took over late last year was complete.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sun jukebox
Rufus Thomas, Bear Cat (The Answer to Hound Dog) (1953)
This rip-off of Leiber/Stoller’s early rock stomper brought a lawsuit against Phillips and necessitated Presley’s premature sale to RCA.
Elvis Presley, Mystery Train (1955)
The B-side of Presley’s final single for Sun bops with a drummer-less groove.
Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Two, Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
Originally recorded for Sun, Cash’s signature tune was performed for inmates of the titular prison 13 years later.
Carl Perkins, Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
Within a month of Sun’s February release Elvis had his version out on RCA.
Roy Orbison, Ooby Dooby (1956)
An essential piece of irreverent juvenilia from Orbison.
Jerry Lee Lewis, Great Balls of Fire (1957)
Lee’s trademark anthem is one of the era’s best-remembered – and best-selling – songs.
On racial profiling at airports
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.
Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.
The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.
Specs
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
FIGHT CARD
Fights start from 6pm Friday, January 31
Catchweight 82kg
Piotr Kuberski (POL) v Ahmed Saeb (IRQ)
Women’s bantamweight
Cornelia Holm (SWE) v Corinne Laframboise (CAN)
Welterweight
Omar Hussein (JOR) v Vitalii Stoian (UKR)
Welterweight
Josh Togo (LEB) v Ali Dyusenov (UZB)
Flyweight
Isaac Pimentel (BRA) v Delfin Nawen (PHI)
Catchweight 80kg
Seb Eubank (GBR) v Mohamed El Mokadem (EGY)
Lightweight
Mohammad Yahya (UAE) v Ramadan Noaman (EGY)
Lightweight
Alan Omer (GER) v Reydon Romero (PHI)
Welterweight
Ahmed Labban (LEB) v Juho Valamaa (FIN)
Featherweight
Elias Boudegzdame (ALG) v Austin Arnett (USA)
Super heavyweight
Roman Wehbe (LEB) v Maciej Sosnowski (POL)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
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Meydan racecard:
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres
7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions | $100,000 (Turf) | 1,400m
8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 | $200,000 (D) | 1,200m
8.50pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (D) | 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) | $175,000 (T) | 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) | $135,000 (T) | 1,600m
'Top Gun: Maverick'
Rating: 4/5
Directed by: Joseph Kosinski
Starring: Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Glen Powell, Ed Harris
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
