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Al-Hilal gave up their title as Asian Champions after an own goal by Andre Carrillo helped crown Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds in the Asian Champions League
Super Eagles forward Odion Ighalo’s Al-Hilal were dethroned as Asian Champions League holders by an own-goal from Andre Carrillo which handed Urawa Red Diamonds a slim 1-0 win in the second leg of their ACL final and a 2-1 win on aggregate.
Urawa Red Diamonds claim smash-and-grab win over Al-Hilal
Despite featuring for 90 minutes in both legs of the final, Ighalo was unable to find the back of the net as Al-Hilal succumbed to an upset against the Japanese side, despite arguably being the better side over the two matches.
Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the final in Riyadh last week, Urawa Red Diamonds secured a narrow 1-0 win in the second leg, despite not firing a shot on target in the return fixture in Saitama.
It was Urawa Red Diamonds’ third Asian Champions League crown after winning the tournament in 2007 and 2017 as well.
Al-Hilal coach proud of team’s achievements despite final loss
Speaking after the final second-leg, Al-Hilal coach Ramon Diaz was grateful to his players, saying they did all they could to clinch back-to-back ACL trophies, but just fell short of the accomplishment.
"This was a tough game and we've played many tough games in a short time, but this is our destiny we can't do anything about it,” Diaz said.
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"The team played very well. They put on a very high-level performance and they showed the personality of champions.
"We created chances but we couldn't score any goals. I want to thank the players for the huge effort they did until now."
Diaz’ rival on the Urawa Red Diamonds bench, Maciej Skorza, was full of praise for Al-Hilal and admitted that his side had pulled off a major victory over the competition’s favourites.
"From the first minute, we didn't need to play a very risky game. Generally our target was to win this trophy. That was our target,” Skorza said.
"Of course we would like to win scoring three or five goals, that would be fantastic but today playing such a good team like Al-Hilal we had to beat them.
"To win against Al-Hilal does not happen every day so we should respect today's result."
Al-Hilal can still end the season on a high despite the loss as they are also due to play the final of the Saudi King’s Cup, their third cup final of the current season.
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