Al-Hilal continued their perfect start to the Asian Champions League Elite with a 2-0 victory over Qatar's Al-Sadd in Doha on Tuesday, Reuters reported, making it two wins from two in the league phase.
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the 40th minute, and Ruben Neves sealed the result from the penalty spot in the 65th minute, giving the Saudi giants control of the tie against a side that rarely loses at home.
Gulf clubs dominate the early standings
The UAE's Shabab Al-Ahli also moved to six points, beating Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad 2-1 in Jeddah. Sardar Azmoun scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes, and though Richard Rios pulled one back for the visitors in the 66th minute, Al-Ahli held on, Reuters reported.
Four teams on perfect records
Al-Ain of the UAE and Iran's Esteghlal also hold perfect records after two rounds of the eight-match league phase. Under the competition's format, the top eight sides in each region advance to the last 16, so the early jostling for position at the top of the standings already matters.
With global stars such as Watkins, Neves and Azmoun delivering on the biggest stage in Asian club football, the Saudi and Emirati clubs are setting an early pace — and laying down a marker for the knockout race to come.
Sources:
- Reuters: Watkins on target to keep Al-Hilal perfect in Asian Champions League
Ollie Watkins opened the scoring in the 40th minute, and Ruben Neves sealed the result from the penalty spot in the 65th minute, giving the Saudi giants control of the tie against a side that rarely loses at home.
Gulf clubs dominate the early standings
The UAE's Shabab Al-Ahli also moved to six points, beating Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad 2-1 in Jeddah. Sardar Azmoun scored twice inside the opening 16 minutes, and though Richard Rios pulled one back for the visitors in the 66th minute, Al-Ahli held on, Reuters reported.
Four teams on perfect records
Al-Ain of the UAE and Iran's Esteghlal also hold perfect records after two rounds of the eight-match league phase. Under the competition's format, the top eight sides in each region advance to the last 16, so the early jostling for position at the top of the standings already matters.
With global stars such as Watkins, Neves and Azmoun delivering on the biggest stage in Asian club football, the Saudi and Emirati clubs are setting an early pace — and laying down a marker for the knockout race to come.
Sources:
- Reuters: Watkins on target to keep Al-Hilal perfect in Asian Champions League
