Riyadh, Feb. 17 (BNA): Days after losing 5-3 to Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup final, Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia is returning to its home continent in an attempt to extend its recent dominance in the AFC Champions League. In the second round match against Shabab Al-Ahly Dubai.
In 2019, Al Hilal broke the hold of the Eastern Province in a tournament that saw teams from Australia, China, South Korea and Japan win all but one title from 2006 to 2018.
The Riyadh club repeated its victory in 2021, becoming Asian champions for the fourth time, according to the Associated Press.
This is still the 2022 edition where the eight teams from AFC West – the tournament is divided into two geographic regions until the final – finished in the group stage last April.
The delay is due to the UEFA Champions League moving from its traditional March-November schedule to a European-style schedule from August-May in the 2023-24 season.
Leonardo Jardim led Al-Hilal to its last AFC Champions League title in November 2021, but the Portuguese coach is now in charge of training his team, Shabab Al-Ahly.
AGN