Ramon Diaz: Al Hilal ready and firing for Asian Champions League final against Urawa Reds

Ramon Diaz says Al Hilal have “all the tools” to deliver yet more Asian Champions League success, as he promised to stick his attacking principles in the first leg of the 2022 final against Urawa Red Diamonds on Saturday.

The holders, record four-time winners of the continental crown, host their Japanese counterparts at what is expected to be a sell-out King Fahd Stadium before they travel to Saitama for next week’s return fixture.

The tie marks Hilal’s fifth appearance in the showpiece in the past nine years, while it also represents a re-run of the 2017 and 2019 finals. The Saudi Arabian champions lost the former to Urawa but triumphed two years later to end an almost two-decade wait for the trophy.

Speaking on Friday at the pre-match press conference in Riyadh, the Argentine - in his second stint as Hilal manager - said: “We are more than proud of reaching this stage of the Champions League and of course have been the previous champion.

"We are in very good shape, in a very good mental state, and very prepared to have a great match, a tough match like we have experienced during the while season.

“We have the capabilities; we have excellent players who are prepared with excellent skills and expertise. We are ready to show that we have earned [the right] to be at this stage by achieving the championship for a third time.”

Diaz, 63, returned to Hilal in February last year to guide the side to a startling, come-from-behind Saudi Pro League title, while he also masterminded their historic run this February to the final of the Fifa Club World Cup. Hilal were beaten to the trophy in Morocco by Real Madrid.

“We are working very hard to win this title and offer it to the supporters and fans of Al Hilal," Diaz said. "We would