RIYADH: Al-Hilal have been crowned champions of Saudi Arabia for a record-extending 18th time after defeating Al-Faisaly 2-1 in Riyadh on Monday night to finish two points at the top of the table above rivals Al-Ittihad who were held to a 0-0 draw by Al-Batin.
Two goals from the league’s leading scorer Odion Ighalo gave coach Ramon Diaz’s team an 11th win from the last 12 games and top spot for the third successive season, a campaign which is the longest ever after starting in mid-August 2021.
It is a fantastic achievement for the Asian champions as they were 16 points behind Al-Ittihad in February when coach Ramon Diaz took over.
Ighalo’s 22nd goal of the season after just seven minutes took the early nerves out of the occasion at the King Fahd International Stadium.