Al-Hilal, the dominant force in Saudi Arabia’s domestic soccer league, will face Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates in the semifinals of the Asian Champions League.
They have their sights set on an unprecedented collection of four titles, having secured their first trophy in the Saudi Super Cup final last week. Leading the Saudi Pro League by 12 points, Al-Hilal is poised for further success.
The King’s Cup semifinals against Al-Ittihad of Jeddah on April 30 are next on Al-Hilal’s agenda.
They strive to claim a record fifth continental title, but first, they must overcome the challenge posed by Al-Ain, led by coach Hernan Crespo.
Al-Ain, the 2003 champions, eliminated Al-Nassr in the Asian Champions League quarterfinals.
Defender Ali Al-Bulaihi expressed the club’s determination, stating that Al-Hilal is ready to face any team and is unafraid of the upcoming challenges. Despite the absence of injured striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and Brazilian superstar Neymar, Al-Hilal’s winning streak continues.
Their recent victory in the Super Cup extended the world record to 34 consecutive wins for top-tier teams.
While Al-Hilal is favored to advance to the final, the meeting with Al-Ain in the eastern zone of the Asian Champions League appears to be a closely contested match.
In the eastern zone playoff, Ulsan HD, the 2012 and 2022 Asian champions, will host Yokohama F. Marinos, a five-time Japanese champion making their first appearance at this stage in Asia. Yokohama, led by Australian coach Harry Kewell, aims to make history in the tournament. Kewell is pleased with the players’ attitude and their willingness to adapt to his coaching style.
Despite the quick turnaround for Yokohama, their performances have been impressive, and they look forward to hosting Ulsan in the second leg of the semifinals on April 24, following Al-Hilal’s clash with Al-Ain in Saudi Arabia.
