Al Hilal blank Al Gharafa in AFC Champions League Elite
The Peninsula
Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC returned to the summit of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 West Zone standings after a 3 0 win against Al Gharafa SC yester...
Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC returned to the summit of the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 West Zone standings after a 3-0 win against Al Gharafa SC yesterday.
The four-time Asian champions moved level on 16 points with fellow Saudi Arabia side Al Ahli Saudi FC but with a better goal difference while Al Gharafa retained a slim chance of progression as they stayed on four points.
The result also meant UAE’s Al Wasl FC, who drew 1-1 with Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC on Monday, booked their place in the knockout stage.
With qualification assured, Jorge Jesus made four changes to the side that drew 1-1 with Qatar’s Al Sadd SC last week with Aleksandar Mitrovic, Renan Lodi, Joao Cancelo and Hassan Al Tambakti on the bench.
The changes did not hamper Al Hilal, who went ahead in the 18th minute when Yasser Al Shahrani got to the byline on the right flank and his cutback was swept home by Marcos Leonardo for his third goal of the campaign.