AFC Champions League Elite
Ollie Watkins scored early in each half to take Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal up second in the West Zone standings on nine points with Shabab level but two places adrift due to an inferior goal difference.
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Al Hilal - who lost to Qatar's Al Shamal SC last week - couldn’t have asked for a better start against the in-form Shabab - who had won each of their first three matches - with the four-time Asian champions taking the lead in the sixth minute thanks to their high pressing.
Defender Kalidou Koulibaly won the ball on the left flank and drove forward before laying off to Ollie Watkins, who sidestepped Nemanja Maksimovic and fired a low shot that took a nick off Jorge Felipe to leave goalkeeper Matheus Donelli wrong footed.
Defender Kalidou Koulibaly won the ball on the left flank and drove forward before laying off to Ollie Watkins, who sidestepped Nemanja Maksimovic and fired a low shot that took a nick off Jorge Felipe to leave goalkeeper Matheus Donelli wrong footed.
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UAE’s Shabab spurned an opportunity to draw level in the 22nd minute when Mohammed Jumah threaded the ball through for Sardar Azmoun, who beat Yusuf Akcicek for pace but a heavy second touch allowed Yassine Bounou to collect.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Al Hilal tactician Simone Inzaghi as he had to make two first half changes as Sabri Dahal picked up a yellow card while Saimon Bouabre suffered an injury, with Mohammed Mahzari and Nasser Al Dawsari called into early action.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing for Al Hilal tactician Simone Inzaghi as he had to make two first half changes as Sabri Dahal picked up a yellow card while Saimon Bouabre suffered an injury, with Mohammed Mahzari and Nasser Al Dawsari called into early action.
MD4: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)
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Both teams made changes for the second half with Al Hilal bringing on Theo Hernandez and Sultan Mandash for Moteb Al Harbi and Mohamed Meite while Shabab replaced Jumah with Juan Alvina but it was the starters who made an instant impact to the restart.
Akcicek - from near the halfway line - produced an incredible pass, bending the ball perfectly beyond the last defender for Watkins to steer home to double Al Hilal’s advantage in the 46th minute.
Akcicek - from near the halfway line - produced an incredible pass, bending the ball perfectly beyond the last defender for Watkins to steer home to double Al Hilal’s advantage in the 46th minute.
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The visitors were denied in the 66th minute when Jahnoah Markelo cross hit Ali Lajami but Bounou reacted quickly to gather the ball before it crossed the goal line.
Shabab’s frustration continued as Azmoun then guided a header wide from Saeid Ezatolahi’s cross late on before Bounou saved Mateusao’s near post strike as Andre Jardine’s side suffered the first defeat of their campaign.
Shabab’s frustration continued as Azmoun then guided a header wide from Saeid Ezatolahi’s cross late on before Bounou saved Mateusao’s near post strike as Andre Jardine’s side suffered the first defeat of their campaign.
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