Al-Hilal passes Al-Duhail and qualifies for the AFC Champions League

The Saudi club Al-Hilal, the defending champion, qualified for the final after its great victory over Al-Duhail, Qatar, 7-0, on Sunday, at Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha, within the AFC Champions League 2022 for the West region.

Odion Ighalo (2, 10, 48 and 62), Musa Mariga (14 and 27) and Salem Al Dosari (38) scored the winning goals for Al Hilal.

Al-Hilal qualified to meet in the final with Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan, where the first leg will be held on April 29 in Riyadh, and the return match on May 6 at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama.

Al-Hilal was able to qualify for the final for the fifth time in the last ten years, knowing that it won the title in 2019 and 2021.

In the group stage, Al-Hilal topped the first group standings with 13 points from six matches, with a goal difference in direct confrontations against Al-Rayyan of Qatar, compared to 5 points for Sharjah of the United Arab Emirates and 3 for Iranian independence, then it won in the round of 16 against Shabab Al-Ahly Dubai of the UAE 3-1, and defeated in the quarter final Foolad Khuzestan, Iran, 1-0.

On the other hand, Al-Duhail topped the fourth group standings with 15 points from six matches, compared to 7 points each for Saudi Al Taawon and Iranian Sepahan and 6 for Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan, and won in the round of 16 against compatriot Al-Rayyan by a penalty shootout 6-7 after the two teams tied 0-0 in normal time and 1  -1 in overtime, then beat Saudi youth in the quarter-finals 2-1.