Al-Ahli beat Al-Hilal to reach Asian CL final

Agency :

Al-Ahli secured a 3-1 win over 10-man Al-Hilal to win the battle of the Saudi Pro League sides in Jeddah on Tuesday, booking a place in Saturday’s final of the Asian Champions League (CL) elite to keep its dream of a first continental title alive.

Goals from Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney in the ninth and 27th minutes respectively gave Matthias Jaissle’s side a two-goal lead before Salem Al-Dawsari reduced the deficit three minutes from the interval.

A second yellow card for defender Kalidou Koulibaly left the four-time champion down to 10 men for the last 30 minutes and Al-Hilal crashed out despite a late penalty save by Yassine Bounou from Franck Kessie as Feras Al-Brikan netted a late third.

“It was a fantastic evening,” said Jaissle. “I am so, so proud of each of the players and what we were doing as a unit, and as a unit I mean with the fans here in the stadium as well. It was a totally deserved win.

“We knew it would be a hard fight against Al-Hilal, but I’m really happy with how we dealt with that.”

Al-Ahli has never won the Asian title, losing in the final in 1986 and 2012, and will face either compatriot Al-Nassr or Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in the decider.

The home side went ahead when Roger Ibanez’s incisive ball from inside his own half released Galeno down the left and the Brazilian’s first-time centre was steered in by Firmino as he arrived in the six-yard box at pace.

Al-Ahli was dominating and its pressure paid off in the 27th minute, although its celebrations were briefly put on hold.

Riyad Mahrez’s slide-rule pass released Toney behind the defence and he rolled the ball home after rounding Bounou but, while the assistant referee had raised his flag for offside, a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review awarded the goal to the delight of the Al-Ahli fans.

With three minutes remaining in the half, Al-Hilal pulled one back despite being second-best throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Renan Lodi’s attempted pass along the edge of the penalty area was met by the retreating Kessie and the ball fortuitously landed at the feet of Al-Dawsari, who instinctively smashed his shot beyond Edouard Mendy.