Al-Ahli made full use of home advantage at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah to upset Al-Hilal, four-time Asian champions, 3-1 and enter the final of the AFC Champions League Elite. First-half goals from Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney put them in control, and Kalidou Koulibaly’s red card for a reckless challenge meant there was no way back for the Riyadh-based Al-Hilal.
Firmino won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in 2019 and, wearing the captain’s armband, he gave his side the perfect start with a clinical first-time finish past Yassine Bounou after a left-wing cross from Galeno. Toney’s finish in the 27th minute was equally emphatic after Riyad Mahrez, a UCL winner with Manchester City, found him with a slide-rule pass.
Al-Ahli now have a chance to finally get their hands on the trophy after losing in the final in 1985-86 and 2012
Salem Al-Dawsari’s smart finish just before half time gave Al-Hilal hope, but after Koulibaly’s rush of blood saw them reduced to 10 men, Al-Ahli struck the post thrice in a bid to kill off the game. Franck Kessie then had a penalty saved by Bounou before Feras Al-Buraikan gave the scoreline a more realistic picture with a clever injury-time finish.
It marked a second successive semi-final exit for Al-Hilal, while Al-Ahli now have a chance to finally get their hands on the trophy after losing in the final in 1985-86 and 2012.
For the Latest Sports News: Follow RevSportz