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Urawa Red Diamonds beat Al-Hilal to win 2023 Asian Champions League title
CGTN
Players of Urawa Red Diamonds celebrate after winning the Asian Champions League title at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 6, 2023. /CFP
Players of Urawa Red Diamonds celebrate after winning the Asian Champions League title at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 6, 2023. /CFP

Players of Urawa Red Diamonds celebrate after winning the Asian Champions League title at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 6, 2023. /CFP

Urawa Red Diamonds claimed the Asian Champions League title for the third time as Andre Carrillo's own goal earned the Japanese side a 1-0 victory over defending champions Al-Hilal on Saturday and a 2-1 aggregate win.

Carrillo's error three minutes into the second half swung the tie in Urawa's favor despite Al-Hilal dominating for lengthy periods before the Japanese side added the crown to the titles they won in 2007 and 2017.

Urawa held the upper hand going into the second leg at Saitama Stadium after Shinzo Koroki's equaliser last Saturday had earned his team an away goal in the 1-1 draw in Riyadh.

Andre Carrillo (R) of Al-Hilal scores an own goal in the second-leg game of the Asian Champions League final against Urawa Red Diamonds at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 6, 2023. /CFP
Andre Carrillo (R) of Al-Hilal scores an own goal in the second-leg game of the Asian Champions League final against Urawa Red Diamonds at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 6, 2023. /CFP

Andre Carrillo (R) of Al-Hilal scores an own goal in the second-leg game of the Asian Champions League final against Urawa Red Diamonds at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 6, 2023. /CFP

The Saudis, missing the suspended Salem Al Dawsari and injured Salman Al Faraj, dominated the opening 45 minutes of the second leg, with Urawa's Alexander Scholz forced to clear Odion Igahlo's early effort off the line.

Goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa was called on to make saves to deny Brazilian winger Michael and Carrillo in a nervous opening for the hosts.

But it was Urawa who went closest to breaking the deadlock when Koroki's flying volley crashed against the crossbar as the striker emerged unmarked in the penalty area to meet Hiroki Sakai's inviting cross from the right.

Hiroki Sakai (C) of Urawa Red Diamonds penetrates in the second-leg game of the Asian Champions League final against Al-Hilal at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 6, 2023. /CFP
Hiroki Sakai (C) of Urawa Red Diamonds penetrates in the second-leg game of the Asian Champions League final against Al-Hilal at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 6, 2023. /CFP

Hiroki Sakai (C) of Urawa Red Diamonds penetrates in the second-leg game of the Asian Champions League final against Al-Hilal at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, Japan, May 6, 2023. /CFP

Three minutes into the second half Urawa did go ahead, Carrillo putting into his own net after Marius Hoibraten's wind-assisted header across goal caused panic in the Al-Hilal defence to delight the majority in the 53,574 crowd.

Jose Kante and Kaito Yasui went close to scoring a second for the home side only for their efforts to sail wide of Abdullah Al Muaiouf's goal.

Al-Hilal, aiming for a record-extending fifth Asian crown, were denied the opportunity to take the game into extra-time in the 90th minute when Nishikawa reacted to push away Igahlo's goal-bound effort as Urawa held on.

Source(s): Reuters

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