Al Hilal claim slender lead over Urawa Red Diamonds in Asian Champions League final - in pictures

Andre Carrillo scores the only goal of the game inside a packed King Saud University Stadium

Al Hilal's players celebrate as fans applaud at the end of the AFC Champions League final match between Al Hilal and Urawa Red Diamonds at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Al Hilal won 1-0. AP Photo

Urawa supporters cheer during the first leg of the AFC Champions League final between Saudi Arabua's Al Hilal and Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds at the King Saud University Stadium in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. AFP

Urawa supporters cheer during the first leg of the AFC Champions League final between Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal and Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds at the King Saud University Stadium in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. AFP

Al Hilal supporters cheer before the first leg of the AFC Champions League final between Saudi's Al Hilal and Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. AFP

Urawa Red Diamonds' Takahiro Sekine in action against Al Hilal at King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters

Al Hilal supporters celebrate their win during the first leg of the AFC Champions League final against Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. AFP

Al Hilal player Salman Alfaraj, left, in action against Urawa Red Diamonds' Takahiro Sekene during the AFC Champions League final first-leg match at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. EPA

Al Hilal player Andre Carrillo, right, in action against Urawa Red Diamonds' Takahiro Sekene during the AFC Champions League final first-leg match at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. EPA

General view of Al Hilal fans inside the stadium during the match. Reuters

Al Hilal's Andre Carrillo in action against Urawa Red Diamonds' Takahiro Sekine. Reuters

Al Hilal supporter cheers during the AFC Champions League final first-leg match between Al Hilal and Urawa Red Diamonds at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. EPA

Saudi giants Al Hilal took a slender advantage in the Asian Champions League final against Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds after Andre Carrillo scored the only goal of the game on Saturday night.

Peruvian forward Carrillo headed home a Mohamed Al Burayk cross in the 60th minute in a fast-paced match which saw defenders of both teams put up a stout display in front of a packed King Saud University Stadium.

Al Hilal have endured a continental trophy drought since 2000 when they won the tournament for the second time, the first being in 1991 when it was called as the Asian Club Championship.

They came close in 2014 and 2017 when they reached the final, only to be beaten by Western Sydney Wanderers and Urawa respectively.

Al Hilal had the upper hand for most part of the match going close on several occasions, especially in the first half.

Daisuke Suzuki made a desperate save by deflecting the ball away from the goal off Sebastian Giovinco's shot in the 14th minute and Takuya Aoki was lucky to narrowly clear the ball a few minutes later after goalkeeper Haruki Fukushima was beaten.

Urawa's defence finally fell on the hour mark when goalkeeper Fukushima dropped his guard and failed to anticipate Al Burayk's cross from the right to allow Carrillo to easily head home from the six-yard mark.

The hosts then cut out the risks by keeping the ball to themselves although Giovonco twice went close and substitute Nawaf Al Abed who was unlucky as he only found the side netting from close-range.

The second leg will be played in Saitama on November 24.