Ending East Asia’s domination

HONG KONG: Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal will take on Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan in the first leg of the Asian Champions League final today, seeking to put an end to eastern dominance of the continental club competition.

Teams from the east of Asia have won the last five titles and 10 of the last 11, but the Saudi side are confident of turning the tide when they host the first leg in Riyadh.

Qatar’s Al Sadd were the last team from the west to win the title when they defeated South Korea’s Jeonbuk Motors in a penalty shootout in 2011.

Al Hilal came close in 2014 with a narrow defeat in the final against Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers.

The Saudi club have an illustrious record at Asian level but the continental title has proved elusive.

Urawa will also bid to end a lengthy drought at continental level, having reached the final for the first time since their maiden title in 2007.

Yuki Abe, who spent time in England with Leicester City, is the only player remaining in the starting line-up from the side that defeated Iran’s Sepahan over two legs a decade ago.

Takafumi Hori’s team will also seek to break a long run of disappointment for Japanese clubs.

Gamba Osaka were the last JLeague team to claim the title in 2008 and no Japanese side has reached the final since.