KYODO NEWS - Nov 25, 2017 - 21:34 | Sports, All

Japan's Urawa Reds were crowned continental champions for a second time on Saturday after a 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in the second leg of the Asian Champions League final.

Brazilian striker Rafael Silva added to the goal he scored in the 1-1 first-leg draw with a superb late strike to secure Reds a 2-1 aggregate win at a packed Saitama Stadium.

Reds, who won the title in 2007, became the first Japanese ACL winners since Gamba Osaka lifted the trophy in 2008.

Silva's goal also earned Reds a place at the Club World Cup starting in the United Arab Emirates on Dec. 6

"The joy is difficult to put into words," said man of the match Silva, who had been an injury concern after hurting his ankle in the first leg in Riyadh last weekend.

"It was really hard to overcome the injury this past week. Despite the difficulties everyone has come through so I am really pleased about that."

"We were pumped 100 percent full of adrenaline and our fans pushed us on, we would not have been able to win it without them," he added.

Reds made a bright start and Kazuki Nagasawa shot just off target with a minute gone before another effort from outside the box was saved by Al-Hilal goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayoof.

The visitors' first chance arrived on 26 minutes, Salem Al Dawsari making space for himself with a couple of clever touches before firing just over the crossbar.

Nicolas Milesi then went close in the 59th minute as the Saudis pressed for a breakthrough, but they were reduced to 10 men on 78 minutes when Al Dawsari fouled Wataru Endo and was sent off for a second bookable offense.

And Silva won it for Reds with two minutes left, peeling away from marker Osama Hawsawi to smash Yuki Muto's through ball into the roof of the net and trigger delirious scenes among home fans.