Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli Continue Their Strong Start in the Champions League
Saudi clubs Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli continued their impressive form in the AFC Champions League, each securing their fourth consecutive win. Al-Hilal dominated their Iranian opponents Esteghlal Tehran with a 3-0 victory, while Al-Ahli defeated their Iraqi guests Al-Shorta 5-1 in the fourth round of the competition.
These wins solidified Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli’s lead at the top of the unified group under the tournament’s new format, both amassing 12 points. Al-Hilal holds the top spot due to a superior goal difference, sitting four points ahead of Qatari club Al-Sadd, who is in third place following a 1-1 draw with UAE’s Al-Wasl. Al-Nassr, with 7 points, will face Al-Ain of the UAE later today, wrapping up a round that also saw Qatari side Al-Gharafa draw 1-1 with Iran’s Persepolis.
In a standout performance, Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored all three goals for Al-Hilal in the 15th, 33rd, and 74th minutes, bringing his tournament goal tally to four.
However, Al-Hilal’s victory was spoiled by an injury to Brazilian star Neymar, who had entered as a substitute in the 58th minute, replacing Abdullah Al-Hamdan. Coach Jorge Jesus was forced to substitute him for Mohammed Al-Qahtani just three minutes before the end of regular time due to a muscular injury that will keep him sidelined for at least two weeks.
Neymar appeared upset after leaving the pitch, as he is heavily relied upon by “the Leader” in the continental competition, especially after missing 385 days. He made his return to play on October 21, when he also came on as a substitute in the 77th minute of the match against the defending champions Al-Ain in the third round.
Al-Hilal applied pressure from the start, with Mitrovic almost scoring in the 11th minute after a pass from Salem Al-Dawsari. Four minutes later, he found the net following another Al-Dawsari assist.
Mitrovic doubled the lead in the 33rd minute with a goal assisted by Brazilian teammate Renan Lodi and completed his hat-trick in the 74th with a header from a cross by João Cancelo.
Firmino and Mahrez Put on a Show
In another strong display, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez starred for Al-Ahli, leading their team to a 5-1 win over Al-Shorta. Firmino opened the scoring with two goals in the 14th and 45+5 minutes, while Mahrez added the fourth and fifth goals in the 61st and 65th minutes. Firas Al-Buraikan also contributed with the third goal in the 53rd minute, while Franck Kessié missed a penalty in the 25th minute, and Al-Shorta’s Sajad Jasem Mohammed scored their only goal in the 29th.
Firmino put Al-Ahli ahead with a header from a cross by Ziyad Al-Juhani in the 14th minute. Kessié had the chance to double the lead from the penalty spot after Gabri Veiga was fouled, but Al-Shorta goalkeeper Ahmed Basil made the save.
Shortly afterward, Mohammed Dawood assisted Jasem Mohammed, who dribbled past Al-Ahli’s keeper Abdulrahman Al-Sanbi to equalize in the 29th minute.
Despite another save by Basil on Kessié’s shot in the 44th minute, Firmino scored his second goal just before halftime from an Al-Buraikan cross.
In the second half, Al-Buraikan extended Al-Ahli’s lead with a goal in the 53rd minute, and Mahrez scored twice in quick succession from assists by Al-Buraikan in the 61st and 65th minutes, sealing a comfortable win for Al-Ahli.
