{"id":3454,"date":"2023-04-24T23:18:58","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T13:48:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/?p=3454"},"modified":"2026-09-25T15:28:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T05:58:20","slug":"al-hilal-out-to-continue-dominance-of-asia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/al-hilal-out-to-continue-dominance-of-asia\/","title":{"rendered":"Al Hilal out to continue dominance of Asia"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3 id=\"following-a-quite-surreal-competition-that-has-stretched-more-than-12-months-in-its-entirety-played-extensively-in-sparsely-attended-neutral-venues-the-2022-edition-of-the-afc-champions-league-will-finally-conclude-in-rather-more-predictable-fashion\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Following a quite surreal competition that has stretched more than 12 months in its entirety, played extensively in sparsely attended neutral venues, the 2022 edition of the AFC Champions League will finally conclude in rather more predictable fashion.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the coming two weekends, West Asian champions Al Hilal and their East Asian counterparts Urawa Red Diamonds will face off in a third continental final clash between the pair in six years; with the former heading in search of a record extending fifth Asian title &#8211; and a potential third in only four years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While the Riyadh giants, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/opinion-al-hilal-is-asias-biggest-club\/\">Asia\u2019s most illustrious club<\/a>, are familiar faces at this stage of the competition, their run of form heading into the two-legged final is anything but for their fervent fanbase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A stretch of a modest, by Al Hilal\u2019s standards, five league wins in ten matches since they steamrolled their way to yet another continental final in February, has seen Al Hilal all but theoretically drop out of the domestic title race, with the very real prospect of the club slumping to an all-time low Saudi Pro League finish, albeit only down to 4th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their run to the Champions League final, therefore, has been a welcome distraction from their relative struggles at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their safe passage to Saturday\u2019s final was finalised slap bang in the middle of a relentless six-month period for the club, which followed a World Cup \u201cbreak\u201d which proved to be anything but, having eaten up and spat out the spine of this squad before they returned to club football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-x\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u2728 \ud835\udc05\ud835\udc08\ud835\udc0d\ud835\udc00\ud835\udc0b\ud835\udc08\ud835\udc12\ud835\udc13\ud835\udc12 \u2728<br><br>The holders cruise to yet another <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/ACLFinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ACLFinal<\/a>! <br><br>Can \ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde6 Al Hilal retain their Kings of Asia accolade for a second time in a row? <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/ACL2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ACL2022<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UYwofGHiAm\">pic.twitter.com\/UYwofGHiAm<\/a><\/p>&mdash; #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheAFCCL\/status\/1629890450696855554?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 26, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A growingly congested calendar, compressed by rescheduling difficulties, has seen them have to play a match every three or four days over the last few months, alongside an injury list that has inevitably shone a light on how wafer thin their transfer-embargoed squad truly has been this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Domestic concerns aside, Al Hilal are continually able to step up to the plate in key periods of the campaign; most notably in their historic run to the final of the Club World Cup in February, and their imperious showing in the latter rounds of the Champions League. Despite this season\u2019s mitigations, it\u2019s difficult to suggest that the club are going through any sort of crisis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even after dropping points against lowly Al Tai and Al Batin earlier this month, effectively dumping them out of a domestic title retention bid, victories to derail Riyadh neighbours Al Nassr\u2019s championship credentials and Al Ittihad\u2019s treble hopes in the King\u2019s Cup last week, rekindle the belief that their recent wobbles may be behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their struggles aren\u2019t new by any means, however they have been increasingly difficult to remedy in a growingly competitive home environment. After all, when Ramon Diaz took over a squad in a very similar shape this time last year, the lack of opportunity to replenish an ageing and increasingly fatigued squad looked destined to end in failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, following a spectacular collapse from Al Ittihad at the final furlong, Al Hilal clinched a record stretching 18th Saudi title, at a canter, finishing with eight straight wins to somewhat disprove their squad\u2019s lack of flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With the re-emergence of Al Ittihad as a dominant force this season, alongside city rivals Al Shabab and a Cristiano Ronaldo inspired Al Nassr, this year has seen the challenge rise a step too far for Diaz to reproduce similar miracles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-x\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\uddf8\ud83c\udde6 <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Alhilal_EN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Alhilal_EN<\/a> \ud83c\udd9a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/REDSOFFICIAL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@REDSOFFICIAL<\/a> \ud83c\uddef\ud83c\uddf5<br><br>Who will lift the trophy? \ud83c\udfc6<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/ACLFinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ACLFinal<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/ACL2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ACL2022<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OW6P0TNeW7\">pic.twitter.com\/OW6P0TNeW7<\/a><\/p>&mdash; #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheAFCCL\/status\/1649816857451397124?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 22, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The squad\u2019s fragility has also been pushed to its limits this year courtesy of injuries to creative lynchpin, Salman Al-Faraj, full back Yasser Al-Shahrani and creative outlet <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/al-dawsari-matures-into-saudi-arabias-not-so-secret-weapon\/\">Salem Al-Dawsari<\/a> directly following Saudi Arabia\u2019s successful campaign in Qatar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While their title rivals were able to replenish their stocks in January or instead rely heavily on their overseas contingent to shoulder the burden on their return to domestic football, Al-Hilal continue to look to their Saudi-born stars for that added X-factor in the big moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The return of their captain, Al-Faraj, over the past few weeks has been critical in their ACL final preparations. Calm, composed and increasingly flexible now in his prime, Al-Faraj has become growingly capable of floating between holding and more attacking roles in Diaz\u2019s counter attacking approach \u2013 his mere presence dictates those around him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arabnews.com\/node\/2290001\/sport\">accompanying return of Al-Shahrani<\/a> and Al-Dawsari, who have both been able to build up their minutes in the last week, seems all too poignantly timed ahead of the massive encounter with Urawa later this week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It must be noted also that in Morocco for the Club World Cup and in Qatar for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/al-hilal-continue-dominance-of-asias-west\/\">Champions League finals stage<\/a> early this year, Al Hilal departed for global and continental glory, respectively, in a similar state only to return triumphant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Out of sorts at home \u2013 having dropped points in three of their six matches following the Qatar World Cup, Al Hilal headed abroad undeterred and single-minded in their pursuit of excellence on the grandest stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Al Hilal, regularly likened to their European counterparts Real Madrid, their players just seem to be able to find another gear in the big occasion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-x\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Quality throughout the squad \ud83d\udd25<br><br>Which <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Alhilal_EN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Alhilal_EN<\/a> star can make the difference in the <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/ACLFinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ACLFinal<\/a>? \ud83e\udd14<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/ACL2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ACL2022<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/V0OXfyIaYp\">pic.twitter.com\/V0OXfyIaYp<\/a><\/p>&mdash; #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheAFCCL\/status\/1648665285069529091?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 19, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The often frustrating, yet bullishly effective Moussa Marega was in emphatic form in both runs to the final but has remained on the periphery ever since in the league; while the often-forgotten Luciano Vietto, undoubtedly only remaining at the club until the transfer embargo is lifted, similarly emerged from nowhere in the most crucial moments of both campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than form then, heading into a ninth AFC Champions League final, what may be more telling, is how their opponents\u2019 Urawa\u2019s approach the clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the past few months Al Hilal have flourished in their reactive play, whilst occasionally looking quite laboured against sides who set up to defend deeply against them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compounded by their recent struggles against weaker opposition domestically, their biggest frustration of late came at the hands of Iranian side Foolad in the Champions League quarter-finals, who very nearly pulled off an historic giant killing, counter-attacking display against the reigning champions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Considering that lucky escape, Al Hilal\u2019s emphatic 7-0 victory over Al Duhail in the semi-final a few days later probably glossed over any emerging cracks within the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Qatari champions were in many ways the perfect opponent for their Saudi counterparts, offering up acres of space in behind and out wide for Diaz to establish a perfect reactive game to exploit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"embed-x\"><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">4\ufe0f\u20e3 matches<br>2\ufe0f\u20e3 \ud83c\udfc6<br>1\ufe0f\u20e3 epic rivalry<br><br>\ud83d\udc40 Here\u2019s a closer look at the <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/ACLFinal?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ACLFinal<\/a> stats for \u2666\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/REDSOFFICIAL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@REDSOFFICIAL<\/a> \ud83c\udd9a <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Alhilal_FC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Alhilal_FC<\/a> \ud83d\udc99<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hashtag\/ACL2022?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#ACL2022<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NdkUr92Ypj\">pic.twitter.com\/NdkUr92Ypj<\/a><\/p>&mdash; #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheAFCCL\/status\/1648533149285228546?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">April 19, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Similarly, Al Nassr, chasing a valuable three points in their title pursuit of Al Ittihad last week, needed to take the ascendancy in the Riyadh derby with Al Hilal; in retrospect playing straight into the hands of their cross-capital rivals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A home opener to the two-legged final may then be the perfect recipe for Al Hilal to well establish themselves in a reactive position come the second leg in Saitama. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/take-ii-red-vs-blue-in-epic-acl-showdown\/\">Back in 2019<\/a> they indeed took a slender 1-0 lead to Japan for the second leg, going on to profit in the wake of heavy pressure to extend their lead on the counterattack<a href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/how-al-hilal-became-kings-of-asia\/\"> and clinch their fourth continental trophy in emphatic style<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Could we see history repeat itself this year?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With significant matches between these two weighing heavily in the minds of most neutral Asian football fans tuning into this weekend\u2019s final, the AFC Champions League record holders, despite their troubles back home, remain favourites to extend their record to a fifth continental crown in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With Saudi football, led by their all-conquering Riyadh giants set to explode with further investment and regional pull this coming summer, this threatens to be the best opportunity for anyone to halt Al Hilal\u2019s dominance of this competition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another triumph for the blue side of Riyadh may go on to underline their dominance of Asia for the coming years and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Listen to our preview of the AFC Champions League Final on <strong>The Asian Game Podcast<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Embed Player\" style=\"border:none\" src=\"https:\/\/play.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/26645937\/height\/128\/theme\/modern\/size\/standard\/thumbnail\/yes\/custom-color\/fbb33c\/time-start\/00:00:00\/playlist-height\/200\/direction\/backward\/download\/yes\" height=\"128\" width=\"100%\" scrolling=\"no\" allowfullscreen=\"\" webkitallowfullscreen=\"true\" mozallowfullscreen=\"true\" oallowfullscreen=\"true\" msallowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/iframe>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Following a quite surreal competition that has stretched more than 12 months in its entirety, played extensively in sparsely attended neutral venues, the 2022 edition of the AFC Champions League will finally conclude in rather more predictable fashion. Over the coming two weekends, West Asian champions Al Hilal and their East Asian counterparts Urawa Red [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3420,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_gspb_post_css":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[19,75,514],"class_list":["post-3454","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","tag-afc-champions-league-elite","tag-al-hilal","tag-club-football"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":8}},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Al Hilal out to continue dominance of Asia - The Asian Game<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theasiangame.net\/ro\/al-hilal-out-to-continue-dominance-of-asia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"ro_RO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Al Hilal out to continue dominance of Asia - The Asian Game\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Following a quite surreal competition that has stretched more than 12 months in its entirety, played extensively in sparsely attended neutral venues, the 2022 edition of the AFC Champions League will finally conclude in rather more predictable fashion. 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