2004 AFC Champions League Semi-Final
The most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Greatest Asian Club of the 20th Century.
Al-Hilal Saudi Football Club, commonly known simply as Al-Hilal, is a Saudi Arabian professional multi-sports club based in Riyadh. Its football team competes in the Saudi Pro League. The name 'Al-Hilal' is Arabic for 'the crescent moon'. Founded on 16 October 1957, the club is one of three teams to have participated in every season of the Saudi Pro League since its establishment in 1976.
Quick Facts
- Outcome
- Al-Hilal lost to Suwon Samsung Bluewings on away goals
- Venue home
- Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
Lore & Background
In domestic competitions, Al-Hilal are the most successful Saudi club, having won a record 21 league titles, along with a record 13 Crown Prince Cup titles, seven Saudi Federation Cup titles, 10 King's Cup titles, five Saudi Super Cups, and the Saudi Founder's Cup. In continental competitions, the club has won a record eight AFC trophies, including four AFC Champions League titles (1991, 2000, 2019, 2021), two Asian Cup Winners' Cups (1997, 2002), and two Asian Super Cups (1997, 2000). Internationally, Al-Hilal have made multiple appearances in the FIFA Club World Cup and were runners-up in the 2022 edition, becoming the first Asian club from outside the host nation to reach the final. In September 2009, Al-Hilal was awarded Greatest Asian Club of the 20th Century by the IFFHS.
Reader's Guide
The club was established on 15 October 1957 in Riyadh. The club's name lasted for only one year before it was changed to its current name on 3 December 1958 by King Saud. Al-Hilal won the King's Cup trophy in 1961 and again in 1964. The club also won the Crown Prince Cup in 1963–64. Al Hilal were the inaugural winners when the Saudi Premier League came into existence in the 1976–77 season, and also won the league title in 1978–79. In the 1980s, the club won four league titles and four King's Cup titles. The club won their first Asian title, the Asian Club Championship, in 1991. They won the Asian Club Championship again in 1999–2000. The club won the league titles in 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, and 2010–11.
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