Al-Hilal’s miserable AFC Champions League season continues after Al-Ain defeat

Al-Hilal were eliminated from the 2018 AFC Champions League group stage for the first time since 2006 after a 2-1 defeat to Al-Ain in Dubai. (Courtesy of AFC.com)

DUBAI: Al-Hilal were eliminated from the 2018 AFC Champions League group stage for the first time since 2006 after a 2-1 defeat to Al-Ain after a brace from Marcus Berg in Dubai.
The Saudi Arabian giants were runners-up in last season’s competition, but have had a miserable campaign this year, not helped by injury to Syrian superstar Omar Khribin. The visitors got off to a perfect start, taking an early lead when Mohammed Al-Burayk scored a free-kick from 25 yards out seven minutes into the game.
Despite the shaky start, Al-Ain regrouped and started to threaten. Their first real sight of goal came in the 20th minute when Emirati playmaker Omar Abdulrahman produced a brilliant pass to Marcus Berg right, but the Swede’s attempt was cleared off the goal line by Al-Burayk.
Al-Hilal’s defender Mohammed Jahfali was penalized after a reckless tackle in the penalty area on Abdulrahman, but Al-Ain’s number 10 failed to deliver from the spot as former Premier League goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi was quick to make the save in the 24th minute.
Five minutes before the break, Abdulrahman was brought down in the box by defender Ali Al Bulayhi and Berg, this time, stepped up to take the penalty, successfully levelling the score.
Al-Ain kept the pressure on their opponents and there was still time for them to be awarded a third penalty of the night before half-time when Rayan Yslam was fouled by Fahad Al-Rashidi, and Berg was once again clinical to net his side’s second in added time.
In the second half, the Saudi side took control and labored for an equalizer, while Al-Ain defended resolutely and looked to hit on the counter. They came closest when Berg was denied a hat-trick by the crossbar after chipping Caio Fernandes’ cross over Al-Habsi.
They held on, and the result means Al-Ain now face Al-Rayyan in Qatar in a winner-takes-all match to seal a Round of 16 place, after Iran’s Esteghlal secured their progress earlier in the group’s other match.