Asian Champions League final: tournament supremos Al Hilal find groove at the right time

After the mid-to-late-season stutter, Al Hilal seem to have found their footing exactly when needed.

Last week, they defeated Riyadh rivals in the derby, raising their game enough to damage Al Nassr’s Saudi Pro League title challenge despite their own slipping already from view.

In all likelihood, the current Saudi champions, stuck in fourth with only five matches remaining, won’t be holding on to their domestic crown beyond this season.

Yet, on Sunday, Hilal moved to within a match of another local trophy. Pitted against lead leaders Al Ittihad in the semi-final of the King’s Cup, they survived a tense and taught encounter at the hostile King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah to emerge victorious.

The 1-0 triumph in extra-time, secured not by one of their own but an unfortunate touch from Ittihad captain Ahmed Hegazi, kept alive hopes of concluding a crammed campaign with a double.

In the space of six days, Hilal cast behind them the inconsistency in the league, the poor return of five wins from 10 matches, the derby defeat – comprehensive and crushing – to Al Shabab, the home draw to a modest Al Tai and the shock loss to bottom side Al Batin.

Form has been rekindled; fitness, and thus availability, of key players restored. And right on time, too.

It provides a perfect platform for Hilal’s latest shot at yet more continental glory. On Saturday, the Asian Champions League’s most successful club contest the first leg of its 2022 final, hosting Urawa Red Diamonds in Riyadh before the return match in Japan next week.