RIYADH: Nasser Al Dawsari scored the fastest goal ever in an Asian Champions League final on Tuesday as Al Hilal won a record fourth continental crown with a 2-0 victory over South Korea’s Pohang Steelers.

Immediately after kick off at the King Fahd International Stadium, 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 Lee Jun’s goal with 16 seconds on the clock.

It broke Mohamed Kallon’s 16-year-old record and put the Saudis on track for a fourth title after successes in 1991, 2000 and 2019.

Moussa Marega added a second 18 minutes into the second half as the Riyadh-based club won the title for the second time in three seasons, having defeated Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the final two years ago.

“This success is for the group,” Al Hilal captain Salman Al Faraj told SSC 7. “A group that works and strives, a group that loves each other, a group together for a long time, and this is the result...two titles in the Asian Champions League, but we deserve it.

“We are the best team in Asia and we have worked hard to get here. 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.”

Al Hilal’s victory came a year after they suffered the ignominy of being thrown out of the event following numerous cases of Covid-19 infections within their squad.

But on Tuesday night those bitter memories were banished as the Saudi giants dominated their opponents in front of 50,000 fans.

“I am proud of the team, they are a fantastic group of players,” said Al Hilal coach Leonardo Jardim, the first Portuguese coach to win the Asian title. “Winning the tournament was our target from the beginning and I’m happy we have achieved that.”

Pohang, three-time Asian champions who have been struggling domestically this season, had their best chance 10 minutes into the game when midfielder Sin Jin-ho hit the bar with a shot from outside the area and goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf saved Lim Sang-hyub’s follow-up from the rebound.

Al-Hilal secured a place at the FIFA Club World Cup, which will be played early next year in nearby United Arab Emirates.

“Our objective is to win every game,” added former Monaco boss Jardim. “The top teams from the world will be there but we will do our best as the champions of Asia.”

The field for the seven-team FIFA tournament also includes European champions Chelsea, CONCACAF Champions League winner Monterrey of Mexico and African champion Al Ahly of Egypt.

A Brazilian team will also be at the event with the Copa Libertadores final on Saturday being contested by Palmeiras and Flamengo.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2021