Al-Hilal Clinches Spot in Asian Champions League Knockout Rounds with Dominant 4-0 Win
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In a dominant display, Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal secured their place in the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League Elite by defeating Iraq's Al-Shorta 4-0 in Riyadh on Tuesday. The victory marked Al-Hilal's fifth consecutive win, cementing their position atop the 12-team western league phase with a maximum 15 points from the opening five matches. The Brazilian forward Marcos Leonardo shone bright, scoring twice to lead Simone Inzaghi's side to a resounding victory. Leonardo's first goal came via a header in first-half stoppage time, and he added a second nod in the 68th minute. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Ahmed allowed Sergej Milinkovic-Savic's header to slip through his hands, doubling Al-Hilal's lead just two minutes later. Cancelo sealed the win with a fourth goal in added time. Al-Wahda from the UAE also secured their spot in the knockout rounds by defeating Qatar's Al-Sadd 3-1 in Abu Dhabi. The Emirati outfit, inspired by Dusan Tadic, fought back from a goal down to confirm their progress with 13 points from five matches. Tadic showcased his class with a strike on the turn, followed by another emphatic finish to seal the win. In an interview, Tadic praised Al-Wahda's improved performance, stating, 'When we don't give our opponents the initiative, we are much better, and this is the way Al-Wahda should play.' The top eight finishers in both the western and eastern league phases will advance to March's Round of 16, with the quarter-finals, semis, and final to be played on a centralised basis in Saudi Arabia in April.
