RIYADH: Al-Hilal moved 10 points clear at the top of the Roshn Saudi League on Friday with a 2-0 win over Al-Wehda.
The victory stretched the team’s winning streak to an incredible 18 games in all competitions. It was a hard-fought and hard-won three points with Aleksandar Mitrovic heading home late in the game after a rare goal from Saud Abdulhamid put the hosts ahead.
If the Blues keep winning then there is little that anyone else can do about it and while this was not a vintage performance, it was a case of job done for Jorge Jesus and his men.
The 18-time champions moved ahead after 20 minutes with one of the assists of the season. Ruben Neves chested the ball in midfield, took another touch on the run and then lofted the perfect pass over the defence for Abdulhamid on the right side of the area. Despite a tight angle, the defender volleyed the bouncing ball into the roof of the net for his first of the season.
Al-Wehda, who would have gone into sixth place with a win, had their chances, the ball bouncing off former Al-Hilal striker Odion Ighalo to clip the top of the crossbar. The first half ended with Yassine Bounou, who was acclaimed by the home fans for winning the award for Africa’s best goalkeeper earlier in the week, diving to his left to beat away a curling shot from Waleed Bakshween.
Al-Hilal came within centimeters of extending their lead just two minutes after the restart with Malcom’s left shot from the edge of the area hitting the bar with the goalkeeper Munir Mohamedi nowhere.
The Brazilian was involved with the goal that sealed the win and another three points. He floated over a fine cross from the left that hung in the air at the far post for Mitrovic to do what he does best and send a powerful header beyond the reach of the ‘keeper. It was the 15th league goal of the season for the Serbian striker and he now moves to one behind Cristiano Ronaldo in the goalscoring standings. With Al-Nassr in second sitting this round out as they were due to take on Al-Ittihad who are otherside engaged in the FIFA Club World Cup, Al-Hilal’s double digit advantage is going to last for a few days at least.
