Firmino and Toney achieve when Al-Nahli reached the final of the Asian Champions League

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (AP)-Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney scored 3-1 as Al-Ahli al-Hilal to reach the final of the Asian Champions League on Tuesday.

The all-Saudi Arabian semi-finals were played in front of more than 50,000 fans in the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Al-Ahlis hometown.

Al-Nahli will take over the winner of the climbing on Wednesday between Al-Nassr, also from Saudi Arabia, and Japan's Kawasaki-Frontale in the final on Sunday.

“Al-Nahli was the better team,” said Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus. “This was a game between two good teams, and although we had some good periods in the game, they exceeded us.”

It only took nine minutes for Al-Ahli to open the goals as Firmino, who shot into the club from Liverpool in 2023 and shot home from the area.

Shortly before half an hour, the striker of ex-chacher City, Riyad Mahrez, Toney set up for the English striker to make it 2-0.

Al-Hilal struck back after 42 minutes when the Saudi Arabian international Salem Al-Dawsari scored his 10th goal of the tournament so far.

In an hour, Al-Hilal was reduced to 10 men when the former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly was shown a second yellow card.

It was still time for the former star of Barcelona and AC Milan, Franck Kessie, to see how his punishment was saved by Hilals Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.

In added time, however, Firas al-Buraica scored 3: 1 to seal a famous victory for Al-Ali and a first last appearance since 2012.

“It was a great night for us and our fans,” said Al-Ahli trainer Matthias Jaissle. “We are only one step away from the title and all our focus is on it. It doesn't matter who we play, al-Nassr or Kawasaki. We will be ready.”

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The Associated Press