DOHA: Saudi powerhouses Al-Hilal continued their flawless start to the AFC Champions League Elite campaign with a 2-1 away victory over Al-Gharafa of Qatar on Monday.
Simone Inzaghi’s side now have four wins out of four at the half-way point of the league stage, and sit two points clear at the top of the West Region table on 12 points as they chase a record-extending fifth Asian title.
Salem Al-Dawsari opened the scoring for the visitors in the ninth minute, heading home Joao Cancelo’s pinpoint cross after the Portuguese full-back stole possession on the right.
Al-Hilal continued to dominate for much of the first half, with Theo Hernandez and Cancelo each testing Al-Gharafa goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar, who kept his side in contention with several strong saves.
The pressure paid off and the Saudi side eventually doubled their lead midway through the second half, when Kaio Cesar fired home from the edge of the area after another surging run by Hernandez.
The hosts grabbed a late consolation deep into stoppage time, courtesy of Ayoub Aloui, but it was too little, too late.
Next up in the competition, Al-Hilal host Al-Shorta of Iraq on November 25, while Al-Gharafa, who are ninth in the standings with just three points, will face Shabab Al-Ahli of the UAE the day before.
