In recent AFC Champions League Elite matches, both Al Hilal and Al Ahli Jeddah demonstrated dominant performances to secure their spots in the quarter-finals.
Al Hilal's Comeback Victory
After a 1-0 defeat in the first leg against Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor, Al Hilal showcased resilience in the return leg at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh. They secured a commanding 4-0 win, overturning the aggregate to 4-1 in their favor. Key contributions came from Hamad Al Yami, Malcom, and Salem Al-Dawsari, with Nasser Al-Dawsari adding a late goal to seal the triumph.
Al Ahli's Decisive Win
Al Ahli Jeddah entered their second leg against Qatar's Al-Rayyan with a two-goal advantage. In the match held in Jeddah, they secured a 2-0 victory, culminating in a 5-1 aggregate score. Riyad Mahrez was instrumental, netting two late goals in the 77th and 83rd minutes to ensure their progression.
Upcoming Quarter-Finals
The quarter-finals will feature three Saudi clubs: Al Hilal, Al Ahli, and Al Nassr. They will be joined by Qatar's Al-Sadd, Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos, and Thailand's Buriram United. The remaining spots will be decided in upcoming matches between Kawasaki Frontale and Shanghai Shenhua, and Vissel Kobe and Gwangju FC.
Both teams' recent performances underscore the strength of Saudi clubs in the competition, setting the stage for thrilling encounters in the forthcoming rounds.
Photo courtesy: Al Ahli Jeddah
For the first time since Oct. 7, 2023, Palestinian club football returns this weekend as 226 teams compete across three war-scarred regions.