Saudi derby in Asia.. Al-Hilal defeats Al-Ittihad and approaches the gold square
Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia achieved a convincing victory over its opponent, Al-Ittihad, with a score of 2-0, in the first leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, on Tuesday evening.
Al-Zaeem controlled the proceedings of the anticipated derby match from the first half, and scored two quick goals at the end of the first half, through Serbian Aleksandar Mitrovic and Saudi Salem Al-Dosari.
In the second half, Al-Ittihad’s crisis was doubled by the expulsion of the French international midfielder, N’Golo Kante, after a reckless intervention on the ankle of Al-Hilal’s defender, the Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly.
Al Hilal maintained its lead to settle the match with a score of 2-0, which puts it in an excellent position to qualify for the semi-finals of the tournament.
Al-Ittihad will host its rival, Al-Hilal, in the return match, next Tuesday, at Al-Jawhara Stadium in Jeddah.
It is noteworthy that the winner between them will meet the winner of the match between Al Ain, the UAE, and Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia, in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League.
