Al Ahli dominated from the start while Hilal Alquds, while struggling to get out of their own half, worked hard to frustrate their opponents.

A lob beyond the defence from Al Ahli’s Hasan Madan in the eighth minute set up Facundo Tobare for a low drive that needed Hilal Al Quds goalkeeper Issa Abdeen to push the ball out for a corner kick.

In a half that saw very few chances created, Al Ahli went close in the 32nd minute when Dorde Kulkolj made a dash on the right with his cutback finding Sayed Mahdi, who sent his shot over the bar.

Al Ahli maintained their pressure in the early period of the second half but found nothing more than half-chances while Hilal Alquds managed to register their first shot on target.

Mohammad Farraj stole possession off Saud Hussain before unleashing a stinging drive from distance that forced Al Ahli custodian Ebrahim Lutfalla to palm the ball away just after the hour mark.

Al Ahli had one final opportunity in the 82nd minute when Baqer Alasfoor’s throw-in was flicked on by Alhashash to Tobares, whose shot beat Abdeen but rolled away from goal.

Waiting for Al Ahli on Tuesdaywill be Oman’s Al Seeb Club while Hilal Alquds will face Al Futowa SC of Syria.