Neymar returns as Al-Hilal edge nine-goal Asian thriller against Al-Ain

AL-AIN, UAE: Neymar finally returned to action after a year out through injury but Salem Al-Dawsari took the headlines Monday with a hat-trick as Al-Hilal won 5-4 at Al-Ain in a thrilling AFC Champions League Elite clash. The victory against the tournament’s holders meant that the Saudi Arabians have taken a big step towards the knockout stage and also enjoyed a modicum of revenge against the team from the United Arab Emirates.

Three goals in the first half put the visitors from Riyadh ahead at the break to help maintain a perfect record of three wins from three in Group One which, after a semi-final loss to the UAE powerhouse in last season’s edition, was welcome indeed.

Al-Ain, coached by Hernan Crespo, thought they had taken the lead in the seventh minute and Al-Hilal goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Rubaie was very glad that it was ruled offside. The replacement for the injured Yassine Bounou misjudged a long-ball from defence and was much relieved that the flag went up after Soufiane Rahimi, the Moroccan wreaked havoc in the meeting between the two teams in their last meeting, had put the ball in the net.

After 26 minutes, the visitors took the lead thanks to a well-taken strike from Renan Lodi. The Brazilian left-back, who had enjoyed a fine start to the season, picked up possession on the corner of the area and then sent a low shot into the opposite corner. 

Six minutes before the break however and Rahimi, the tournament top scorer from last season, equalised for the defending champions. The Saudi Arabian visitors failed to clear a corner and then the forward poked home a low cross from Brazilian midfielder Erik.

Then Al-Hilal scored twice in added time. First, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic headed home a Joao Cancelo cross from the right. Then there was one of the best counter-attacking goals for a long time in the competition. Nasser Al-Dawsari picked up the ball well inside his own half and then, slipped a low pass through to his namesake who had broken free of the backline to get to the ball ahead of the goalkeeper to sweep home, first time, from the right corner of the area.

It was always going to be difficult to come back from that but just after the hour, things went a little crazy. After 63 minutes , Argentina forward Mateo Sanabria fired home from the left side of the area to make it 3-2 and get the Al-Ain fans on their feet.

If there were nerves from the boys in blue then they weren't apparent as they restored their two-goal advantage almost immediately. Malcolm backheeled to Milinkovic-Savic on the right and the Serbian’s cross was swept home high into the net by Al-Dawsai for his second and Al-Hilal’s fourth.

Four-time Asian champion Al-Hilal are not the kind of team to throw away a two-goal lead with 25 minutes remaining but Al-Ain scored again after 67 minutes. Rahimi cut inside the area from the left and his shot beat the goalkeeper at the near post to make it 4-3.

With 15 minutes remaining however, Al-Dawsari completed a fine hat-trick, shooting home powerfully from just outside the area to score a goal worthy of winning any game.

Then it was time for Neymar to come off the bench but the impact of the superstar, injured a year earlier in action for Brazil, was limited as Al-Hilal defender Ali Al-Bulaihi was red carded for handball on the edge of the area ten minutes from time.

From the resulting free-kick, Al-Rubaie saved well from Rahimi and it seemed that it was not going to happen for the UAE powerhouse who have now collected just one point from the first three games.

Neymar almost capped his return with a goal but his low shot from the left corner of the area just went past the opposite post. His miss could have been costly as Al-Ain scored their fourth  in the 96th minute. Rahimi completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot but it was a little too little too late as Al-Hilal won a classic.

The top eight from the group of 12 progress to the second round of 16 and, on this showing, Al-Hilal are almost there.