Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal secured top spot in Group D and their fifth consecutive appearance in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League after a 2-1 victory over Qatari side Al Gharafa on Tuesday.
Ahmed Al Fraidi scored early in the second half and Nawaf Al Abid extended the Saudi club's lead in the 65th minute before Al Hilal defender Osama Hawsawi ensured a nervous finish for the hosts when he put the ball into his own net with nine minutes left.
With their victory, Al Hilal finished a point ahead of Iranian side Piroozi at the top of Group D. They will next face the Group B runners-up - either Baniyas of the United Arab Emirates or Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan - in the Round of 16 next Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Al Gharafa finished third and went out at the group stage for the fifth time in six appearances in the competition.
Al Hilal coach Ivan Hasek was delighted with the result.
"The match was not easy against a good team that put a lot of effort in this game," said the Croatian. "But in the second half we were better and we controlled the ball more."
"We had a good attacking performance and we scored goals, created chances and we had a disallowed goal. It was a successful match and I'm satisfied with the performance of the players and at the same time I'm happy for the fans who went home happy."
The closest that either side came to an opening goal in the first half came just before the interval when Ahmed Al Faraidi tapped in an effort from close range only to see his effort disallowed for offside.
But the Saudi side would go ahead just three minutes into the second-half thanks to some unselfish work by Yoo Byung-soo. The Korean forward had a chance to score himself with only the goalkeeper to beat but he passed the ball instead to Al Fraidi, who easily put the ball into the net.
Yoo should have added to his side's lead in the 52nd minute as he worked the ball in from the left flank and unleashed a fierce drive that hit the underside of the crossbar and went over the goalline before bouncing back into play. Television replays strongly suggested that the goal should have stood.
But Al Hilal's second would arrive in the 65th minute as Al Abid received a pass from Al Fraidi and went past goalkeeper Omar Galaleldeen and defender Ahmed Fares before tapping the ball into an empty net.
The home side should have seen out the match easily but they had to endure a nervous finish after Al Gharafa pulled a goal back in the 81st minute. An innocuous low cross from the right should not have caused any real problems but Al Hilal goalkeeper Hasan Al Otaibi and defender Osama Hawsawi got in each other's way with the defender putting the ball into his own net.
Al Gharafa coach Paulo Silas was not too disappointed with the result.
"The players showed a good performance and they displayed a good fighting spirit against a strong team like Al Hilal. We had a good game but we missed a lot of players and it was not an easy match," said the Brazilian.
"The players who played today were great and I'm proud of what they have done. We'll return now to Qatar to celebrate winning the Emir Cup and think of next season and the 2013 AFC Champions League."
Photo: AFP