Al-Hilal roar back to storm into Asian Champions League Elite last eight

RIYADH: Al-Hilal thrashed Pakhtakor 4-0 in the second leg of the second round of the Asian Champions League Elite on Tuesday to progress to the quarterfinal stage.

The Riyadh giants lost the first leg in Uzbekistan 1-0 a week earlier and there were plenty of nerves around the Saudi capital, but in the end it was a convincing win for the four-time champions who are now on course for a record fifth continental title. 

It took Al-Hilal until the half hour, however, to take the lead on the night and get back on level terms in the tie.

Hamad Al-Yami scored the opening goal on the half hour, with a flying header at the far post after a perfect cross from Mohamed Kanno. 

The pressure continued and, then, three minutes before the break, Brazilian attacker Malcom put Al-Hilal ahead in the tie for the first time, running on to a fine through ball from deep to fire home from inside the area.

“We did what we needed to do in the first half,” said Al-Hilal coach Jorge Jesus. “We knew that it would not be easy after the first leg but we had a good start and then moved on from there.”

Six minutes after the break and Salem Al-Dawsari extended the lead for Al-Hilal, stroking home from the penalty spot.

From that point, Al-Hilal were on course for the last eight but the tie was as good as over in injury time Nasser Al-Dawsari made it 4-0 on the night.

Al-Ahli eased into the last eight, beating Al-Rayyan of Qatar 5-1 on aggregate. The Jeddah giants won the first leg 3-1 and, thanks to a second half brace from Riyad Mahrez, added two more to make it a convincing victory.

It means that Saudi Arabia have three teams in the last eight as Al-Nassr went past Esteghlal of Iran on Monday.