Riyadh, Feb. 24 (BNA): Saudi Arabia’s defending champions Al-Hilal will meet Qatar’s Al-Duhail for a place in the AFC Champions League final, after Ramon Diaz’s team achieved a late 1-0 victory over Iran’s Foolad team in Doha.
Musa Mariga scored three minutes from time to send Al Hilal into the semi-finals, where Al Duhail awaits after Michael Olonga’s brace secured a 2-1 victory over Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab.
The winner of Sunday’s match will face Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds, who secured their spot in the play-off group last year, in a two-legged final on April 29 and May 6, Reuters reports.
Al-Hilal survived a late fright when Foolad defender Mohamed Amin Hazbavi hit the crossbar with a header, before Marija earned his team a barely deserved victory in the 87th minute.
Substitute Saleh Al-Shehri fired the ball into Marega’s path and the former Porto striker raced into the penalty area to fire with his right foot through goalkeeper Christopher Knight and into the far corner.
The victory kept Al-Hilal alive with hopes of achieving its fifth Asian title, and the third in four seasons.