Japanese professional football J-League ‘famous family’ Urawa Reds scored a lucky goal against Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), the strongest club in Asia, to a draw and became the 3rd Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions It occupied an advantage in winning the league (ACL).
In the first leg of the 2022 ACL Finals held at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on the 30th (Korean time), Urawa drew 1-1 thanks to Shinzo Gorokhi’s equalizer in the second half.
In the 8th minute of the second half, when Urawa was trailing 0-1, Tomoaki Okubo’s long penetrating pass was cleared by Al-Hilal’s defense and headed to the goal.
Goalkeeper Abdullah Mayouf, who had come forward, hurriedly stepped back and tried to hit the ball, but the ball hit the left post and went straight into the goal area.
Goroki, who ran into the goal, finished it off with a shot, giving Urawa an equalizer.
This tournament is the last ACL where the away team multi-point rule applies. From the next 2023-2024 season competitions, this rule will not apply.
Urawa will win the second leg on May 6 at 6:00 pm at home Saitama Stadium or finish the 90th minute with a 0-0 draw to win their third ACL title.
Along with Pohang Steelers, they will rise to the position of winning the most championships jointly in East Asia.
Looking at the whole of Asia, Al-Hilal holds the record for the most times in total with 4 times, and Pohang is second.
The fact that Salim Dausari, Al-Hilal’s key striker, was unable to appear in the second game due to disciplinary action is also a good news for Urawa.
Dausari kicked Ken Iwao in an unsportsmanlike act in the 41st minute of the second half when he fell while competing, and the referee immediately took out a red card.
Dausari did her part as a ‘domestic ace’, such as being responsible for Al-Hilal’s opening goal that day, but at the end of the game, she failed to overcome her temper and caused a great ‘nuisance’ to the team.
In the 13th minute of the first half, Dausari completed a ground ball cross from the right with a non-stop shot from the left side of the goal to make it 1-0. 토토사이트
Al-Hilal boasts a luxurious lineup.
On this day, Odion Ighalo from Manchester United (England) was in charge of the front striker, and forward Moussa Marega, who played for Porto (Portugal), was in charge of the flank attack.
Center back Jang Hyun-soo, a former Korean national team member who has been active as a key resource for Al-Hilal for five years, also played full-time.
Urawa had a 28% share of the ball and only two effective shots on the day, and was greatly pushed back.
In addition, about 60,000 home fans dyed the stands of the stadium in blue uniforms symbolizing Al-Hilal and staged a one-sided cheering match, which could be called a ‘blue hell’ from Urawa’s point of view.
“It’s positive to draw against a team like Al-Hilal,” said Maciej Skorza (Poland) coach of Urawa, who overcame difficulties and gained an advantage. I didn’t let my guard down.