Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia put one foot forward in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League by defeating its guest, Ittihad Jeddah, 2-0, on Tuesday, in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the continental competition.

The brace for Al Hilal was scored by Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic (from a penalty kick) and Saudi international Salem Al Dosari in the 40th and 42nd minutes.

Al-Ittihad completed the match with ten players after its French international midfielder, N'Golo Kante, was sent off in the 66th minute after he roughly interfered with Al-Hilal's defender, Senegalese international Khalidou Koulibaly.

The two teams will meet next Tuesday, back in Jeddah.