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Prolific Al Duhail Blocking Saudi Al Hilal’s Route to Asian Final

Al Hilal's Malian forward Moussa Marega (L) celebrates with Saud Abdulhamid after scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League quarter-final football match between Iran's Foolad and Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on February 23, 2023. (AFP)
Al Hilal's Malian forward Moussa Marega (L) celebrates with Saud Abdulhamid after scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League quarter-final football match between Iran's Foolad and Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on February 23, 2023. (AFP)
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Prolific Al Duhail Blocking Saudi Al Hilal’s Route to Asian Final

Al Hilal's Malian forward Moussa Marega (L) celebrates with Saud Abdulhamid after scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League quarter-final football match between Iran's Foolad and Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on February 23, 2023. (AFP)
Al Hilal's Malian forward Moussa Marega (L) celebrates with Saud Abdulhamid after scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League quarter-final football match between Iran's Foolad and Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on February 23, 2023. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal go into their sixth Asian Champions League semi-final in nine years on Sunday looking to find a way to silence Al Duhail's prolific strike force and keep alive their hopes of a record-extending fifth continental title.

The defending champions squeezed past Iran's Foolad on Thursday to set up the meeting with the Qatari club in Doha, with the winners due to take on Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds over two legs in the final on April 29 and May 6.

Al Hilal have won in four of their last five semi-final appearances and defeated Urawa when they last met in the final in 2019, avenging a loss in 2017 to claim a record fourth success in Asia's premier club competition.

But to renew that rivalry Ramon Diaz's side will need to overcome an Al Duhail side boasting the attacking prowess of prolific forward Michael Olunga and winger Edmilson Junior.

Olunga, the tournament's top scorer in 2021, netted both goals in the 2-1 quarter-final win over Al Shabab from Saudi Arabia to take his tally to six in this year's competition.

Edmilson has been even more impressive in front of goal, registering eight times in the current campaign to lead the scoring charts, although there are doubts over the Belgian's availability after he sustained an injury in the quarterfinals.

"We have achieved something historical," said coach Hernan Crespo. "We have never been in the semi-finals before and I am proud to be part of this historic occasion."

Al Hilal, though, have even greater achievements on their minds as they look to become the first side to win back-to-back Asian titles since compatriots Al Ittihad in 2005.

Diaz's side were boosted in the previous round by the return of captain Salman Al Faraj, who started for Al Hilal for the first time since sustaining an injury in Saudi Arabia's historic 2-1 win over Argentina at the World Cup finals in Qatar.

The 33-year-old featured for the opening 76 minutes of the game against Foolad, although it was only after his departure that Al Hilal were able to find a way past the Iranians through Moussa Marega's 87th minute winner.

"We know Duhail have good players, I know the coach personally as I coached him when he was a player," said Diaz.

"It is good to play against Duhail as both teams will have their fans behind them."

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Osaka Inspired by Agassi’s Comeback as She Embraces Clay Court Grind 

Japan's Naomi Osaka serves against Italy's Sara Errani during the 2th round of the WTA Master 1000 Internazionali d'Italia tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Wednesday May 7, 2025 (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
Japan's Naomi Osaka serves against Italy's Sara Errani during the 2th round of the WTA Master 1000 Internazionali d'Italia tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Wednesday May 7, 2025 (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
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Osaka Inspired by Agassi’s Comeback as She Embraces Clay Court Grind 

Japan's Naomi Osaka serves against Italy's Sara Errani during the 2th round of the WTA Master 1000 Internazionali d'Italia tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Wednesday May 7, 2025 (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)
Japan's Naomi Osaka serves against Italy's Sara Errani during the 2th round of the WTA Master 1000 Internazionali d'Italia tournament at Foro Italico in Rome, Wednesday May 7, 2025 (Alfredo Falcone/LaPresse via AP)

Four times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka said this year's clay court swing feels different as she enters it with momentum, having picked up wins and confidence in the recent weeks.

Osaka beat Slovenia's Kaja Juvan 6-1 7-5 last week in the final of the L'Open 35 de Saint-Malo, a WTA 125 tournament, to win her first clay-court title at any level. It was also her first WTA title since becoming a mother in July 2023.

"I wanted to rack up experience on clay. I didn't really have too much of an ego playing that tournament," Osaka told reporters after defeating wild card Sara Errani 6-2 6-3 in the first round of the Italian Open on Wednesday.

"I'm okay playing on Court 16 if I have to anyways. The reason I came back wasn't to play on center courts all the time, it's because I really enjoy the game."

Osaka said her decision to drop down to play in Saint-Malo was inspired by American great Andre Agassi, who rebuilt his career in the late 1990s by competing on the ATP Challenger Tour.

"I remember reading (Agassi's) book. There was a moment where... he was saying he was flipping his own scoreboards. Someone came and yelled, 'Image is everything!' I would say that section of the book crossed my mind more," she said.

The former world number one has often struggled on clay, having never gone past the third round at the French Open, where she is set to feature in the main draw later this month. Osaka plays ninth seed Paula Badosa in the Italian Open on Thursday.

"I feel like clay is very strength-reliant," Osaka said.

"It's something that I prioritized this year and I think it's working. I'm going to keep pushing forward that way. I'll let you know what happens in Roland Garros."