RIYADH: Al-Hilal made history and a 19th Saudi Pro League title almost certain on Friday with a 3-1 win at Al-Riyadh.
This 27th victory in a row in all competitions equals the world record set by Welsh team The New Saints.
Another win over Al-Ittihad in next week’s Asian Champions League clash will put Al-Hilal ahead. More importantly however, they are now 12 points clear of Al-Nassr at the top of the standings.
This was, however, far from a walkover against the newly promoted hosts who took the lead and caused problems going forward. It was a start dominated by offside. Aleksandar Mitrovic thought he had given his team the lead after ten minutes from the closest of ranges as the ball bobbled free from Michael’s tussle with Abdulelah Al-Khalbari but the flag went up.
Abdullah Al-Hamdan was handed a rare start and a rare opportunity to impress watching national team boss Roberto Mancini. He seemed to have won a penalty after 15 minutes after being brought down by goalkeeper Martin Campana. It looked as if the referee was right in pointing to the spot but Al-Hamdan had, VAR decided, just made his run a little early.
It seemed to be only a matter of time before the ball was in the net, however, and so it proved, but it was Al-Riyadh who were celebrating after 20 minutes, even if only for a few seconds. Andre Gray fired home from just inside the area after a smart pullback from Abdulhadi Al-Harajin but the wideman was also caught offside.
While the hosts were a little open, they did pose a threat. Nine minutes before the break, Knowledge Musona, just outside the area, collected a long goal kick with one touch and then, with his next, forced Yassine Bounou to make a save.
At the other end, Mitrovic had an easier chance but shot just wide from the edge of the box. Then Malcom’s header went ever closer as the leaders looked to turn the screw.
Yet Riyadh still pushed forward and Gray sprinted free of the Hilal backline but, with only the goalkeeper to beat, the former English Premier League striker shot straight at Bounou.
Shortly after Riyadh had another chance. Al-Hilal broke forward and were awarded a spot kick as Khalid Al-Shuwayyi brought Al-Hamdan down. Mitrovic stepped up only for Campana to dive to his left and pull off a spectacular save.
Al-Hilal were left to rue that miss early in the second half as they fell behind in unlucky fashion. Gray tricked his way past two defenders on the right and crossed into the area but as Al-Bulaihi stretched for the ball, it looped up off the defender and high into the net.
From then it was always going to be all hands to the defensive pump for Al-Riyadh as Al-Hilal piled forward with even more urgency.
In the 63rd minute, they got another penalty as Mohammed Al-Shwirekh scythed down Mitrovic. This time, Ruben Neves, just introduced off the bench, stepped up and made no mistake.
It was not enough for the leaders, who kept pushing forward in search of a second. It came with 15 minutes remaining. Neves crossed from the left to find Michael at the far post and the Brazilian headed into the near top corner with Campana seemingly surprised.
The goal had been coming, however, and while Al-Hilal did have some defending to do, Mitrovic made amends for his earlier penalty miss to add a third from the spot in added time to seal the win and the chance to make history.
