Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly set up the opening goal for Ollie Watkins, who scored twice in Al Hilal’s 2-0 win over Shabab Al Ahli in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Al Hilal are back on the right track. On Tuesday in Riyadh, the Saudi club beat Shabab Al Ahli 2-0 on matchday 4 of the AFC Champions League Elite, according to the AFC. The win erases last week’s defeat to Qatar’s Al Shamal.
Watkins, seven goals and a double
Kalidou Koulibaly played his part. The Senegal international centre-back won the ball on the left flank, beat an opponent and then picked out Ollie Watkins, who scored in the 6th minute, according to Goal.com and the AFC.
The England striker scored both goals in the match. The double takes his tally to seven for Al Hilal since arriving in the last summer transfer window, according to Goal.com, making him the club’s second-top scorer behind Rúben Neves on nine.
The opener therefore had a clearly identified origin: Koulibaly’s recovery on the left, his dribble past an opponent and then the pass to Watkins. The Senegalese, more used to defensive duties, thus caught the eye in build-up play.
Inzaghi forced to reshuffle
Simone Inzaghi, the Al Hilal coach, had to make two changes inside the first half. A yellow card for Sabri Dahal and then an injury to Saimon Bouabre forced him to bring on Mohammed Mahzari and Nasser Al Dawsari, the AFC reports.
In goal, Yassine Bounou also stood tall, catching a dangerous ball ahead of Sardar Azmoun in the 22nd minute. The Morocco keeper preserved the lead earned from the move started by Koulibaly.
Second place in the West zone
In the standings, Al Hilal climb to 2nd place in the West zone with nine points. The Saudi club have the same total as Shabab Al Ahli but are ahead of their opponents on goal difference, according to the AFC.
Last week, Inzaghi’s men had fallen to Qatar’s Al Shamal. This home win therefore puts Al Hilal back in the hunt for qualification ahead of the next matchday of the continental competition.