AFC Champions League: Al Hilal end group stage with win over Nassaji Mazandaran

Al Hilal have advanced to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League.

Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia concluded their AFC Champions League 2023/24 Group D campaign to an end with a fifth consecutive win, defeating Nassaji Mazandaran 2-1 at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahd Stadium on Monday.

The win took their tally in Group D to 16 points while Islamic Republic of Iran’s Nassaji can be proud of their maiden appearance in the competition, having collected six points.

Having already been confirmed as the Group D winners after their win over Navbahor last week, Jorge Jesus opted to give Ruben Neves a rest while Aleksandar Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic started from the bench.

It didn’t take long for the Saudi Pro League leaders to get ahead after Mohammed Al Burayk was put through unchecked in the 4th minute, his cross finding Michael at the far post who slammed home from a tight angle with Vahid Mohammadzadeh’s clearance coming only after the ball had crossed the line.

Nassaji found it difficult to get out of their own half and Al Hilal could have doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Abdullah Al Hamddan’s shot was pushed onto his own defender by Hossein Khatir and rolled back towards an empty net, but Khatir’s late scramble enabled the goalkeeper to push the ball away.

Al Hilal were awarded a penalty in the 31st minute when referee Mohanad Qasim deemed Mohammad Hosseini’s challenge on Sale Al Shehri to be a foul but overturned his decision upon a VAR check.

A passenger for much of the first half, Yassine Bounou was called into action on 45 minutes, reacting well to palm away Mahmoud Ghaedrahmati’s header following a near post free-kick delivery from Hossein Zamehran.

The Moroccan international did not reappear after the half-time break, a muscle problem seeing Habib Al Watyan replacing him.

However, that did not change the flow of the game with Al Hilal continuing to be in control and they finally added to their lead in the 54th minute, Al Hamddan with a flick over Nassaji’s defence that was finished off by Salem Al Dawsari.

Mitrovic and Milinkovic-Savic were sent in on the hour mark, however, it was Nassaji who would strike next, Ghaedrahmati with an exceptional volley in the 77th minute after Kalidou Koulibaly’s headed clearance fell kindly into his path but it proved to be a mere consolation.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.