The Japanese side won 2-1 on aggregate after beating Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal 1-0 thanks to an own goal at the Saitama Stadium.
Urawa Red Diamonds claimed the Asian Champions League title for a third time as Andre Carrillo’s own goal gave the Japanese side a 1–0 victory over defending champions Al Hilal and a 2–1 aggregate victory.
Carrillo’s mistake three minutes into the second half saw the score in Urawa’s favor on Saturday, despite Al Hilal dominating for a long time before the Japanese side added the crown to the titles they won in 2007 and 2017 .
“Today we are very happy that after a few months of hard work and reflection on this game, we win this trophy in front of the fantastic supporters of this huge club,” said Urawa coach Maciej Skorza.
“This is a great honor for me and it’s just amazing. It’s hard to find a way to describe this win.
“I feel the spirit of the support and it is something special. What I can say was not easy for us on the field today. Very often we had a hard time, but we played with one more player.”
Urawa had the upper hand going into the second leg at Saitama Stadium after Shinzo Koroki’s equalizer last Saturday gave his team an away goal in the 1-1 draw in Riyadh.
Missing the suspended Salem al-Dawsari and injured Salman Al Faraj, the Saudis dominated the first 45 minutes of the second leg, with Urawa’s Alexander Scholz forced to take Odion Ighalo’s early effort off the line.
Goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa was called up to make saves to deny Brazilian winger Michael and Carrillo in a nervous opening for the hosts.
But it was Urawa who came closest to breaking the deadlock as Koroki’s flying volley crashed into the crossbar as the striker emerged unmarked in the box to meet Hiroki Sakai’s inviting cross from the right.
Three minutes into the second half, the majority of the 53,574 fans were on their feet. Norwegian defender Marius Hoibraten headed a free kick over the goal, Al Hilal goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf missed the ball as it swirled in the wind and bounced off Carrillo and into the net.
Urawa continued to create chances on the counter-attack as Al Hilal pushed forward. Tomoaki Okubo shot over beating only goalkeeper Abdullah Al Muaiouf and Atsuki Ito also went close.
Al Hilal, aiming for a record-extending fifth Asian crown, had a chance to take the game into extra time in the 90th minute when Nishikawa responded to push away Igahlo’s goal attempt while Urawa held on.