Urawa Red Diamonds secured a 1-1 draw with Al Hilal at Riyadh’s King Fahd International Stadium on Saturday to safe a slim benefit over the defending champion forward of the second leg of the Asian Champions League ultimate subsequent weekend.
Shinzo Koroki cancelled out Salem Al Dawsari’s first half opener for the host and, with the away objectives rule in use, the Japanese aspect will probably be marginal favorite to assert the title when the groups meet once more at Saitama Stadium on Saturday.
Urawa’s hopes have been enhanced additional when Al Dawsari was despatched off with three minutes remaining after he kicked out at Ken Iwao whereas the pair lay on the turf following an earlier tussle.
The crimson card means Al Dawsari will miss the second leg.
The golf equipment are assembly within the Asian Champions League ultimate for the third time in six years and, regardless of Al Dawsari’s impending absence, the tie is evenly poised going into subsequent week’s decider.
A crowd in extra of 53,000 turned out as Al Hilal set their sights on a record-extending fifth Asian crown and noticed Al Dawsari give their aspect the lead after 13 minutes.
The Saudi Arabia worldwide pounced on the far submit after Brazilian winger Michael had evaded left again Takahiro Akimoto to drive a low centre throughout the face of purpose.
Indecision noticed goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa and defender Alex Scholz depart the ball for each other, with the hesitation permitting Al Dawsari to strike left-footed into the roof of the web unchallenged.
Urawa had carried little menace within the opening 45 minutes however levelled the scores eight minutes into the second half by means of an opportunistic Koroki strike.
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Defender Ali Al Bulayhi’s try to intercept Tomoaki Okubo’s cross into Koroki’s path flew in direction of the Al Hilal purpose, thumping off Abdullah Al Muaiouf’s proper submit and rebounding in direction of the on-rushing Koroki, who slotted dwelling.
Moussa Marega was denied halfway by means of the second half when Nishikawa reacted shortly to the touch the Mali worldwide’s shot on the flip narrowly vast earlier than Al Dawsari’s second of insanity left Al Hilal taking part in with 10 males for the dying moments.
Urawa host the second leg subsequent Saturday aiming to win the Asian title for the third time after victories in 2007 and 2017.
