Sufyan Rahimi led the Al Ain team to achieve a major victory over Al Hilal Saudi Arabia, four goals to two, in the first leg of the AFC Champions League semi-finals, on Wednesday, at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, making the “Zaeem” take a big step towards qualifying for the final of the continental championship for the fourth time in its history. The second leg will be held next Tuesday at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh.
Al Ain stopped Al Hilal’s 34 successive victories, and inflicted on it its first loss this season in all competitions, as the “Violet” team presented a wonderful performance in the first half after Argentine coach Hernan Crespo dealt intelligently with the match, relying on counterattacks and the runs of the brilliant Sufyan Rahimi. The Moroccan star scored the first goal early after receiving a pass from Yahya Nader and Rahimi shot the ball into the goal (6).
Al Ain takes the lead early and ignites the enthusiasm of the fans
Star Sufyan Rahimi scores the first goal of the match against Al Hilal #Al-Ain_Hilal#AFC_Champions_League pic.twitter.com/x8CvECgvXN
– Abu Dhabi Sports Channel (@ADSportsTV) April 17, 2024
Muhammad Abbas almost added the second goal immediately after that when Paraguayan Kaku played a cross and passed in front of Abbas, and Eric followed it with a powerful shot that was blocked by goalkeeper Muhammad Al Owais. On the other hand, Khaled Issa excelled in stopping a dangerous opportunity from Abdullah Al Hamdan (18).
“This is your voice, O Eye, and this is your pledge, O Eye, and this is your glory, O Eye.”
Star Sofiane Rahimi scores the second goal from a penalty kick #Al-Ain_Hilal#AFC_Champions_League pic.twitter.com/TSiBY4iUnB
– Abu Dhabi Sports Channel (@ADSportsTV) April 17, 2024
Sufyan Rahimi continued his brilliance in leading the counter-attacks and was alone in the goal. He was obstructed by Al-Owais to get a penalty kick from which Rahimi added the second goal (27). In the same way, Eric was alone in the goal and was obstructed by Ali Al-Bulaihi, so Al-Zaeem received a second penalty kick, which was scored again by Sufyan. Rahimi skillfully crossed to the right of Al Owais, scoring the third goal (38).
Sufyan Rahimi is the first player to score a hat-trick for Al Ain in the AFC Champions League since 2013, and the first player to score a hat-trick against Al Hilal in the tournament since 2013.
For only the third time in its history in the AFC Champions League, Al Hilal conceded 3 goals in the first half#Al-Ain_Hilal#AFC_Champions_League pic.twitter.com/1UoHSfWWj0
– Abu Dhabi Sports Channel (@ADSportsTV) April 17, 2024
The second half witnessed a strong start from Al Hilal, with Malcolm scoring the first goal from a follow-up to a cross played by Savic, and the Brazilian striker completed it in the goal (49), before the excitement increased with Sofiane Rahimi getting a third penalty kick for Al Ain after being obstructed by Kalidou Koulibaly, and Kaku shot the ball. To the left of Al Owais, adding the fourth goal (56), while Salem Al Dosari scored the second goal for Al Hilal in the 78th minute after an error by Al Ain’s defence, and Al Qaim blocked a dangerous opportunity from Salem Al Dosari in the seventh minute of stoppage time, so the match ended with “Al Zaeem” winning by four goals to one. Brace.
It became four to the eye..
Kaku adds El Ainaoui’s fourth goal from a penalty kick #Al-Ain_Hilal#AFC_Champions_League pic.twitter.com/to1hijws4r
– Abu Dhabi Sports Channel (@ADSportsTV) April 17, 2024
Al Hilal reduces the difference with Malcolm’s goal#Al-Ain_Hilal#AFC_Champions_League pic.twitter.com/biFNLDC2if
– Abu Dhabi Sports Channel (@ADSportsTV) April 17, 2024
Salem Al-Dosari scores Al-Hilal’s second goal
Al Ain 4-2 Al Hilal #Al-Ain_Hilal#AFC_Champions_League pic.twitter.com/n7nQ0u1CS0
– Abu Dhabi Sports Channel (@ADSportsTV) April 17, 2024
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