Facts about the match between Al Hilal and Korea's Pohang in the 2021 AFC Champions League final
The Saudi Al Hilal and the South Korean Pohang Steelers will meet at King Fahd Stadium in Riyadh tomorrow, Tuesday, in the AFC Champions League final, and both are looking to make history by winning a record fourth title in the continental competition.
The Saudi giant won the continental title three times in 1991, 2000 and 2019, while the Korean team won this honor in 1997, 1998 and 2009, knowing that the winner between them will participate in the Club World Cup to be held in the UAE early next year.
Both teams overcame a local rival in the semi-finals, as Al Hilal beat its traditional rival in the capital, Al Nasr, 2-1, while Pohang stripped his compatriot Ulsan Hyundai of the title by winning 5-4 on penalties.
Al Hilal, who has not lost any game this season, is in an ideal state of stability at all levels, and all its key players are currently in a very high form, especially the internationals, who contributed to the Saudi green team's top spot in the decisive round of World Cup qualifiers.
What enhances Al Hilal's chances of winning the title is the return of its injured players who are heavy in its composition, especially Yasser Al Shahrani and Korean Jang Hyun-soo, and before them Malian Moussa Mariga.
Al Hilal French striker Bafetimbi Gomis, who scored 6 goals in the current version, said in media statements, "I won many titles, and scored many goals, but winning the AFC Champions League remains the most important... This is the best title I win, and the best moment in my career." ".
"We have a lot of experience, because a lot of players are playing the final with the team for the third time. This is very important, because things are different if they are playing the final for the first time, but this does not mean that we will take the match lightly, the confrontation will be very difficult." We respect the Korean team a lot, because his presence in the final is proof that he deserves it.”
As for Pohang, despite its late position in the Korean League, it is considered one of the strongest clubs in Asia, and its arrival to the final is a confirmation of that.
But his task will not be easy in front of a team that plays at home and among its fans, as about 68 thousand spectators will watch the match.
The Korean team's coach, Kim Ji-dong, confirmed that his team will not be affected by the atmosphere that favors the hosts, and said, "We will wear the club's shirt with pride, and we will treat the fans present in the stadium as our fans, and we will enjoy playing the final."
Kim added, "This is the first time we are back in the tournament since 2016, and our fans are hungry to see us play and we have managed to overcome some difficult challenges in order to reach the final, and we want to put the final touch to present a great gift to our fans."
It is noteworthy that Kim was a member of his team when he won the title in 2009.
- “Pulling the rug” -
Pohang player, Australian Alexander Grant, touched on playing the match in front of an audience that would be entirely supportive of Al Hilal, saying, “We will try to contain this matter. If we succeed in pulling the rug from under their feet, the experience will be great. I am looking forward to playing the match and playing in front of full stands, Especially with the measures that accompanied the matches in the last two years due to Covid.”
It was not easy for Al Hilal to reach the final, but some obstacles encountered its path. In the group stage, it qualified as the best three seconds in the five groups, as it finished runner-up in the first group that it hosted in Riyadh.
In the final price, Esteghlal overcame Iran 2-0, before overtaking Persepolis of Iran in the quarter-finals 3-0, and in the semi-finals, it clashed with its neighbor Al Nasr and beat it 2-1.
Pohang's qualification was similar to its host, as it passed the group stage as the best three seconds in the five groups of the East Continent.
In the quarter-finals, Cerezo overcame Japan's Osaka by 1-0, and in the quarter-finals he swept Japan's Nagoya Grampus 3-0, and in the semi-finals he overcame his compatriot Ulsan Hyundai on penalties.
Al Hilal has a selection of international stars, such as Muhammad Al-Buraik, Salman Al-Faraj, Salem Al-Dossary, Muhammad Kanoo, Saleh Al-Shehri and Nasser Al-Dosari along with Gomes and Brazilian Mateos Pereira, while Pohang, Min Kwang-gyun, Shin Jin-ho, William Sang-hyeop and Songmo Lee alongside Australian Alexander Grant stand out. And Colombian Manuel Palacios.
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