Al Hilal suffered a 1-0 defeat to Pakhtakor in the Champions League last-16, marking their first loss of the season. Brazilian striker Flamarion scored the only goal. In contrast, Al Ahli secured a 3-1 victory over Al Rayyan, boosted by Riyad Mahrez’s performance. Yokohama F-Marinos triumphed 1-0 against Shanghai Port while Buriram United had a goalless draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim.

Saudi Arabian football club Al Hilal experienced their first defeat of the Asian Champions League season, suffering a 1-0 loss to Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan during their last-16 first-leg match. Al Hilal, a four-time champion, had performed impressively in the group stages, finishing on top with seven victories and a single draw. However, the club found themselves challenged by the frigid conditions in Tashkent, where Pakhtakor effectively utilized their home advantage.

The match saw Brazilian striker Flamarion score the only goal in the 29th minute, placing the ball past Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou to grant Pakhtakor a deserved lead at JAR Stadium. Although Al Hilal, semi-finalists in the previous season, sought to secure an equalizer, they could not penetrate Pakhtakor’s resolute defense. Additionally, the absence of injured Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic has further diminished Al Hilal’s offensive capabilities.

Looking to recover from this setback, Al Hilal will host the second leg at home next week, hoping to overturn the deficit. In contrast, fellow Saudi team Al Ahli achieved a commanding 3-1 victory against Qatar’s Al Rayyan, with goals from Galeno, Riyad Mahrez, and Firas Al-Buraikan positioning them well for their return fixture.

Riyad Mahrez, previously of Manchester City, has impressively recorded six goals and seven assists in this year’s tournament. Despite Al Rayyan’s Roger Guedes scoring an extraordinary goal, the hosts were reduced to ten men following a red card issued to Adam Bareiro after a VAR review. Al Ahli will play the return match in Jeddah on March 11.

Additionally, last season’s runners-up Yokohama F-Marinos narrowly defeated Shanghai Port 1-0 in China, while Thailand’s Buriram United managed a goalless draw against Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim.

In conclusion, Al Hilal’s unexpected defeat against Pakhtakor marks a significant moment in their Champions League campaign, complicating their path to regain the trophy they last claimed in 2021. As they prepare for the return leg, the focus will be on overcoming this early setback. Meanwhile, Al Ahli’s convincing win showcases the potential for Saudi teams in the competition, particularly with players like Riyad Mahrez making significant contributions. The upcoming matches will be critical as teams seek to advance further in the tournament.

Original Source: newscentral.africa

Related posts:

India Advances to Finals of Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 with 2-0 Victory Over Japan Iran Dominates Yemen with 6-0 Victory at AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 India Claims Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 with Victory Over China Indian Squash Teams Finish Fifth and Seventh at World Championships 2024