Al Hilal vs Sepahan: The 2005 AFC Champions League Semi-Final

Lore & Background

Al-Hilal is the most successful Saudi club domestically, with a record 21 league titles, 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 were runners-up in the 2022 FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first Asian club from outside the host nation to reach the final.

In Their Own Story

The night air in Riyadh hung heavy with anticipation as floodlights illuminated King Fahd Stadium. Thousands of fans clad in yellow chanted for their heroes one last time before the decisive second leg. On the pitch, the silence broke only by the thud of boots on grass and the roar of the crowd. The goalkeeper wiped sweat from his brow, knowing that history was being written with every minute remaining on the clock.

Reader's Guide

The club's history began with a division in the Youth Club in 1957, leading to the establishment of a new club on 15 October 1957. Its name was changed to Al-Hilal on 3 December 1958 by King Saud. Al-Hilal won its first King's Cup in 1961 and again in 1964. The club was the inaugural winner of the Saudi Premier League in 1976–77 and also won the league in 1978–79. In the 1980s, the club won four league titles and four King's Cup titles. The 1990s saw Al-Hilal win 23 titles, including the Asian Club Championship in 1991 and 1999–2000, the Asian Cup Winners' Cup in 1997 and 2002, and the Asian Super Cup in 1997 and 2000. In the 2000s, Al-Hilal dominated domestically alongside Al-Ittihad, winning league titles in 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10, and 2010–11. The 2007–08 season featured a decisive 1–0 win over Al-Ittihad in Jeddah to clinch the league title.

Did You Know?

• Al-Hilal is one of three teams to have participated in every season of the Saudi Pro League since its establishment in 1976.
• In September 2009, Al-Hilal was awarded Greatest Asian Club of the 20th Century by the IFFHS.
• Al-Hilal has a market value of €242.5 million as of 2024, the highest in Saudi Arabia.
• Brazilian legends Mario Zagallo and Rivellino played for Al-Hilal in the 1970s.