DOHA: Al-Hilal moved closer to Asian title number five after the defending champions booked a berth in the last eight of the Asian Champions League on Monday with a 3-1 win over Shabab Al-Ahli of the UAE.
It was a clinical performance from a team that just loves the tournament, and not many would bet against a third triumph in four years.
As soon as Odion Ighalo fired home the 17th-minute opener, the four-time winners looked to be on their way to the quarters, although the ride was bumpy at times until Jang Hyun-soo provided a second-half cushion.
That took the wind out of the opponents’ sails, even before Luciano Vietto added a third with 12 minutes remaining. Former Al-Hilal striker Omar Khribin scored against his old club eight minutes later but it turned out to be a consolation.