Al-Ahli booked their place in the AFC Champions League Elite final with an impressive 3-1 victory over Saudi rivals and record four-time winners Al-Hilal in an action-packed semi-final in Jeddah on Tuesday night.
Playing in front of a passionate home crowd of over 50,000, Al-Ahli took the lead in just the ninth minute. Galeno raced onto a pass down the left and delivered a first-time cross for fellow Brazilian Roberto Firmino to sweep home from close range.
Ivan Toney then doubled the advantage around the half-hour mark, latching onto a perfect through ball from Riyad Mahrez, rounding goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, and rolling the ball into the empty net.
Al-Hilal, the most successful club in Asian football history, fought back and halved the deficit three minutes before halftime. Star forward Salem Al-Dawsari reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and fired a low shot past Édouard Mendy for his 10th goal of the tournament.
The game’s complexion changed significantly on the hour mark when Al-Hilal defender Kalidou Koulibaly received a second yellow card and was sent off. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Al-Hilal initially held firm, aided by Al-Ahli’s profligacy – Ivan Toney had two further goals disallowed for offside.
Al-Ahli were awarded a penalty with five minutes remaining when Riyad Mahrez was brought down, but Franck Kessié saw his spot-kick well saved by Bounou. However, substitute Firas Al-Buraikan finally sealed Al-Ahli’s passage to the final deep into stoppage time (90’+8′).
The victory sends Al-Ahli into their third AFC Champions League final, having finished as runners-up on their previous two appearances (most recently in 2012).
They will face the winner of the second semi-final between Al-Nassr and Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in the final, which will be held in Jeddah on Saturday, May 3rd, as they bid for their first continental crown.
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