Joao Cancelo has been injured and requires four to six weeks to recover. This injury pretty much does it for him this season with Al-Hilal. A potential threat lingered as a major injury would occur during the team’s dominant 7-0 win against South Korea’s Gwangju on Friday. Then Cancelo limped off the pitch about 42 minutes into the match. Now, Al-Hilal will take on their toughest test yet, the undefeated Al-Ahli in the Asian Champions League semi-finals.
Al-Hilal take a mighty blow with Cancelo’s loss. As his attacking skills suggest, he is an indispensable player for the team in the attack. This was unacceptable to head coach Jorge Jesus, who duly let his feelings be known on the matter.
“The only negative part of an excellent night was the injury to Joao Cancelo,” – Jorge Jesus.
Al-Hilal’s Challenge Ahead
Al-Hilal will next face Al-Ahli, who is the only side left in the competition with an unblemished record. The two sides have met three times this season already, across domestic competitions. In their most recent match with Al-Nassr, Al-Ahli won the matchup in a close contest in the Saudi Pro League. Ivan Toney memorably bagged a hat-trick in that game, underscoring the challenges that lie in wait for Al-Hilal.
Matthias Jaissle, head coach of ASTON AL-AHLI, believes the repeat of his squad’s success over the Saudi giants Al-Hilal is not just a one-off. He emphasized the significance of decision-making and focusing on the details ahead of their next match against Seattle.
“We’ve played against Al-Hilal so often and they have huge quality in their squad, but we’re well prepared. We know exactly what will come tomorrow; there will be no surprises on the pitch. Details will be decisive,” – Matthias Jaissle.
Looking Ahead for Al-Hilal
Despite the disappointment with Cancelo, Al-Hilal will not lose sight of their target – winning a record-extending fifth Asian title. Even Jorge Jesus understood just how much these two matches mattered. He said it was hoped that Cancelo would be in shape to participate in the Club World Cup later this year.
“We will not have him. He will be out for four to six weeks, that means his season is practically over but he will be well prepared for our participation in the Club World Cup,” – Jorge Jesus.
There’s no doubt Jaissle was enthused over his squad after they improved to 3-0 in the tournament on Saturday.
“The results in the matches since the competition started show clearly that this competition fits us. But we didn’t achieve anything so far. Everything has to fit together, all the details in all phases of the game. Then you need sometimes a bit of luck and the extra energy of the fans,” – Matthias Jaissle.
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