Al-Ain end Al-Hilal’s record-winning streak
Al-Hilal’s record breaking run of 34 consecutive wins came to a shuddering halt on Wednesday as Jorge Jesus’ Saudi Pro League leaders were beaten 4-2 by hosts Al-Ain in the first leg of their Asian Champions League semi-final.
Soufiane Rahimi’s first half hattrick put the Hernan Crespocoached side from the United Arab Emirates on the cusp of a spot in next month’s final as the Riyadhbased outfit’s run came to an end.
Al-Hilal’s loss came after the game at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium had been delayed due to flo o ding across the United Arab Emirates. Rahimi put his side in front with six minutes on the clock, stroking the ball into the bottom corner of Mohammed Al-Owais’ goal after Yahia Nader’s pass trundled through to the Moroccan forward inside the penalty area.
Rahimi doubled his side’s advantage 20 minutes later with a penalty after Al-Owais had upended the striker as he raced into the area to latch onto another Nader pass and the 27-year-old picked himself off the turf to score the spot-kick.
Al-Ain were given a second penalty after a lengthy VAR review following Ali Al-Bulayhi’s miss-timed tackle on Erik Jorgens, with referee Adham Makhadameh eventually confirming his original decision.
Striker Malcom pulled one back from close range for Al-Hilal four minutes into the second-half when Sergej Milinkovic-Savic drove into the home side’s penalty area to set the Brazilian up to score.
Another Al-Ain penalty in the 55th minute, this time scored by Paraguayan Kaku after Rahimi had been upended by Kalidou Koulibaly, restored Al-Ain’s three-goal cushion, but Salem AlDawsari netted with 12 minutes left to give his side hope.
The winner of the tie will face either Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea or Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos next month in the twolegged final.