Ramon Diaz Qatar Belgium Doha Japan Iran Saudi Arabia route Ramon Diaz Qatar Belgium Doha Japan Iran Saudi Arabia

Prolific Al Duhail blocking Al Hilal's route to Asian final

channelnewsasia.com

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal go into their sixth Asian Champions League semi-final in nine years on Sunday looking to find a way to silence Al Duhail's prolific strike force and keep alive their hopes of a record-extending fifth continental title.The defending champions squeezed past Iran's Foolad on Thursday to set up the meeting with the Qatari club in Doha, with the winners due to take on Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds over two legs in the final on April 29 and May 6.Al Hilal have won in four of their last five semi-final appearances and defeated Urawa when they last met in the final in 2019, avenging a loss in 2017 to claim a record fourth success in Asia's premier club competition.But to renew that rivalry Ramon Diaz's side will need to overcome an Al Duhail side boasting the attacking prowess of prolific forward Michael Olunga and winger Edmilson Junior.Olunga, the tournament's top scorer in 2021, netted both goals in the 2-1 quarter-final win over Al Shabab from Saudi Arabia to take his tally to six in this year's competition.Edmilson has been even more impressive in front of goal, registering eight times in the current campaign to lead the scoring charts, although there are doubts over the Belgian's availability after he sustained an injury in the quarterfinals."We have achieved something historical," said coach Hernan Crespo. "We have never been in the semi-finals before and I am proud to be part of this historic occasion."Al Hilal, though, have even greater achievements on their minds as they look to become the first side to win back-to-back Asian titles since compatriots Al Ittihad in 2005.Diaz's side were boosted in the previous round by the return of captain Salman Al Faraj, who started for Al Hilal for the first

Related News
Real Madrid melewati Liverpool di babak 16 besar Liga Champions dengan meyakinkan. Los Blancos kini bersiap menghadapi siapa pun lawan mereka di perempatfinal.
As we shiver through the early knockings of March, February already seems a long time ago. All balmy spring-like days, Europa League wins over Barcelona and Wembley trophies, it even spawned talk of a quadruple.
Riyadh: Al-Hilal have had an amazing few weeks on the global and continental stages but were brought down to earth in Riyadh on Monday, losing 2-1 at home to Al-Fateh.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s national cricket team comprehensively defeated Myanmar by 327 runs in their last group match of the 2023 ACC Men’s Challenger Cup played at the Terdthai Cricket Ground, Bangkok on Wednesday.
Riyadh: At first glance for Saudi Arabia, the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup that kicks off on Wednesday looks a little like last June’s U-23 Championships which was won by the young Green Falcons.
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is set to host the 2022-23 semifinals and final of the Hero Santosh Trophy, India’s historic football championship — in Riyadh on March 1 and March 4. The Kingdom becomes the first overseas country to stage the knockout stages of the competition since its inception in 1941.

Latest News

Change privacy settings
This page might use cookies if your analytics vendor requires them.