FOOTBALL – Al Hilal strengthened their lead in the Saudi Professional League by securing a 3-1 victory over visiting Al Ittihad yesterday, in the 22nd round of the competition.
This win increases Al Hilal’s tally to 62 points at the top of the standings, nine points clear of second-placed Al Nassr, who drew 4-4 with their guests Al Hazm on Thursday in the same round.
On the other hand, Al Ittihad’s points froze at 37, placing them fifth in the league.
Al Ittihad took the lead in the 12th minute through N’Golo Kanté before Al Hilal equalized in the 39th minute with a goal from Saleh Al Shehri.
In the 59th minute, Al Hilal scored their second goal through Malcom, and Saud Abdulhamid added the third in the 66th minute.
It was an entertaining Saudi Classico, but once Al Hilal took the lead in the second half, there was always likely to be just one outcome and it was a deserved win.
Al Ittihad, the defending champions, had opportunities but against the runaway leaders more than one needed to be taken.
The victory marks Al Hilal’s first of three encounters against Al Ittihad, as they are set to meet again next Tuesday in the first leg of the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, followed by the second leg a week later.
In other matches, Al Riyadh held off Al Akhdood 2-1 and Abha saw off Al Tai 2-0.
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