Tangier: Al-Hilal are just 90 minutes away from becoming world champions following a stunning 3-2 win over Brazilian giants and Copa Libertadores title holders Flamengo in the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup in the Moroccan city on Tuesday. of Tangier.
Al-Hilal, the most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia, already has dozens of trophies at home, but has never come so close to such a prize.
Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr may have secured the services of high-profile signing Cristiano Ronaldo, but Al-Hilal are now just one win away from unprecedented levels of international glory in the Kingdom. Just months after the national team’s victory over Argentina at the Qatar World Cup, these are indeed prime times for Saudi football.
Success in Saturday’s final will be Al-Hilal’s greatest achievement, although they are likely to find Real Madrid, arguably the biggest club on the planet, determined to block their path to glory.
If the 14-time European champions lose their semi-final on Wednesday, Al-Hilal will be up against Egyptian side Al-Ahly in what would be the ultimate dream match for fans in the Arab region.
The most successful club in Saudi Arabia and Asia has dozens of trophies under their belt, but has never come close to a prize like the FIFA Club World Cup. (Twitter/@Alhilal_FC)
Either way, it will be a huge opportunity for Al-Hilal, who have, at least, improved on their previous performances in the tournament with two fourth-place finishes already.
Having come through a last-eight test against local favorites Wydad AC just three days earlier, Ramon Diaz’s men delivered more than just a fighting display on Tuesday, it was also an intelligent and controlled one.
Just as Salem Al-Dawsari surprised Argentina by scoring the winning goal for Saudi Arabia at the World Cup in November, he surprised Brazil with two first-half goals at the Ibn Battuta Stadium.
Both came from the spot, one with Pedro’s equalizer in the middle, and the other after Gerson was sent off. Despite Pedro’s late consolation goal, Luciano Vito sealed the victory after the break.
Drama began in the fourth minute when the referee pointed to the spot after Vito was brought down by Mathewzinho. At the World Cup Al-Doussari was awarded a penalty from a penalty saved by Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczecny – a moment which, if it had been different, could have made the difference in the Green Falcons progressing to the second round – but this time he Made no mistake, shooting down into the bottom corner past a diving Santos.
A cold and gusty wind off Morocco’s northwest coast troubled the Brazilians and gave coach Vitor Pereira, who had taken over just a month earlier, much to think about.
Their anger backfired when Rio Club smartly equalized 20 minutes later. Matuzinho passed the ball to Pedro inside the right-hand corner of the area and his first-time shot flew low past Abdullah Al-Mayouf in the opposite corner. Seconds later, the Brazilians almost scored a second when the goalkeeper came out and missed a cross from the left.
But it was Al-Hilal who ended the first half asking questions of the opposition defense and were rewarded with a second penalty, their third of the tournament, on the stroke of half-time. Vietto went down in the area and after a video review, Gerson, already booked, was shown a second yellow. Once again, Al-Dawsari stepped up and scored once again.
The win was a mature, hard-working and composed performance from the Asian champions. (Twitter/@Alhilal_EN)
With a goal and a man advantage, the Saudis were just 45 minutes away from dreamland. He started the second half with poise, holding the ball up and moving it quickly and with increasing confidence. The game began to open up as Flamengo was forced to attack and, as a result, left bigger and bigger gaps behind.
The South Americans were eventually awarded a penalty with 20 minutes remaining. The ball was fed to Vito inside the area and he fired it home into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations among the Saudi fans and the visiting fans on the Al-Hilal bench.
To their credit, Flamengo continued to push forward and in the first minute of stoppage time, Pedro showed nerve to slot the ball home from close range. But overall, it was a mature, hard-working and composed performance from the Asian champions.
Now, a team that came close to being knocked out of the competition against Wydad on Saturday, finally winning 5-3 on penalties after the game ended 1-1, has the chance to make great history. Reaching the final is a great achievement but Riyadh’s return as world champions will never be forgotten.
After the national team’s World Cup victory over Argentina in November, and now after Al-Hilal’s win over the South American champions, Real Madrid will not be intimidated either. Anything is possible for Saudi football at the moment, it seems.
