Arab News Japan

Japanese fans are likely to make their way in large numbers to Riyadh for the all-important first leg clash of the AFC Champions League final between Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC.

The two sides will battle it out in the showpiece event at the King Fahd International Stadium on Saturday.

This will be the third time in six editions of the tournament these two Asian giants will be battling it out in the final.

The Japanese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia IWAI Fumio said there will be about 500 Japanese fans arriving in Riyadh over the coming days to watch the highly anticipated final.

سيصل إلى الرياض حوالي ٥٠٠ مشجع ياباني خلال الأيام القادمة وذلك لمشاهدة مباراة الدوري النهائي لأبطال آسيا بين نادي الهلال ونادي أوراوا الياباني والتي تقام يوم السبت المقبل. أتطلع إلى مشاهدة الأداء المميز لكلا الفريقين في المباراة.

— Iwai Fumio🇯🇵 (@FumioIwai) April 26, 2023

The Japanese outfit walked away with the trophy in 2017 against the Saudi team, but Al Hilal got their revenge against the same team in 2019.

Urawa are eyeing their third continental title. If they get the better of the defending champions it would make the J1 League team the joint-second most successful club in the competition.

The road to the final for the Red Diamonds has been eventful. From their nine matches they scored an incredible 31 goals, overcoming a number of strong opponents in the East to earn the right to challenge the Saudi Arabian giants and reigning champions of Asia, Al Hilal.

Can they maintain that form on Saturday, we will have to wait and watch.