In a heated ASIAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE semi-final match on 19 October, Al-Hilal fought tooth-and-nail with Al-Ahli. Sadly, their hard work resulted in a heartbreaking defeat. Here’s how the exciting match played out on Tuesday night. Al-Ahli secured the win with a 3-1 victory, finding joy in their first final appearance since 2012. Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney both bagged first-half braces for Al-Ahli. Salem Al-Dawsari opened the scoring for Al-Hilal but it was Feras Al-Brikan who earned Al-Ahli’s first place in the final with a stoppage-time winner.
Under coach Jesus’s guidance, the team went on to win last year’s Saudi Pro League in impressive fashion. They had a very difficult evening to be honest this go-round. This crushing loss is yet another disappointment for Al-Hilal. Their progress in the Asian Champions League was halted at the semi-finals – for a second consecutive year as it turned out. The pressure now mounts on Jesus as the team grapples with its recent performance and the implications for future matches.
Referee Controversy
Fierce officiating marred the event. Referee Adham Makhadmeh decided this match warranted an incredible 11 yellow cards. Kalidou Koulibaly picked up two yellow cards for fouling Ivan Toney and Roger Ibanez. This unfortunate decision left Al-Hilal fighting with only ten players for the final thirty minutes of the game. Jesus expressed his frustration with the officiating, stating:
“The referee wasn’t at as good a level as the teams.” – Jesus
Naturally he led with taking the blame for the defeat, focusing on how he must have failed his team.
“I don’t want to put everything on the referee. I’m the one responsible.” – Jesus
Key Moments of the Match
After a colorful opening ceremony, the final match started to Al-Ahli coming out strong from the get-go. Firmino found the net in the 22nd minute, which was quickly followed by Toney’s goal, leaving Al-Hilal with a steep hill to climb. Trying to mount a comeback, Salem Al-Dawsari made it 2-1 with a goal in the 42nd minute. As inspirational of a sight as that was, it wasn’t nearly enough to swing the momentum back in Al-Hilal’s favor.
Like the first half, things got chippy in the second stanza. Al-Hilal would find themselves further behind when Hamad Al-Tuhayfan took down Riyad Mahrez, earning Al-Ahli a penalty opportunity. When Franck Kessie stepped up to take the penalty, we couldn’t have imagined what happened next — a save by goalkeeper Yassine Bounou.
When Feras Al-Brikan scored in stoppage time, he lifted Al-Ahli into the final. For now, Al-Hilal need to take stock of their wasted chances and tactical mistakes.
Looking Ahead
Following this significant defeat, Al-Hilal will need to pick themselves up and consider how best to approach the future. The painful loss officially eliminates them from Asian Champions League contention. It raises the specter of Jesus’s future with the club, as the heat starts to turn on him. Heads turned across MLB as fans and analysts alike watched closely as the exciting young team from D.C. geared up to face a growing domestic challenge.
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