Asian Champions League: Al Hilal cement place as ‘best team’ in region after beating Pohang Steelers to claim record fourth title
- Fastest goal in tournament’s history puts Saudi Arabian side on road to final triumph
- Nasser Al-Dawsari struck after just 16 seconds, with Moussa Marega doubling the lead in the second half
Nasser Al-Dawsari’s goal after just 16 seconds helped Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal clinch a record fourth Asian Champions League title with a 2-0 win over South Korea’s Pohang Steelers on Tuesday.
Immediately after kick off, Al-Dawsari picked up a loose ball just inside the Pohang half and advanced to unleash a fierce shot from outside the area that flew into the top corner of the net in front of 50,000 home fans at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
The fastest goal in tournament history set the scene for a game the home side dominated. Moussa Marega doubled the lead in the second half.
The previous fastest goal in an AFC Champions League final was scored by Saudi side Al Ittihad’s Sierra Leonean star Mohammed Kallon in the second minute against the UAE’s Al Ain in 2005.
“We are the best team in Asia and we have worked hard to get here,” Al Hilal captain Salman Al-Faraj said. “It was a tough game against a good team. We have been together a long time and we are delighted to win the title again after winning it in 2019.”