FOOTBALL – AL HILAL moved up to third in the Saudi Pro League after defeating Al-Ittihad 2-0 at Alinma Bank Stadium at King Abdullah Sport City yesterday, reports fotmob.com.
An own goal from Mahamadou Doumbia and a poacher’s finish from Marcos Leonardo, either side of half-time, saw Al-Hilal extend their winning run in all competitions to six games, while Al-Ittihad have now failed to win any of their last three matches in the league.
Leonardo almost made a breakthrough inside the first 10 minutes, but his strike crashed against the woodwork shortly before Moussa Diaby failed to convert two quickfire chances for the hosts.
Al-Hilal took the lead just before the break from a set-piece. Ruben Neves’ corner was flicked on by Darwin Nunez at the near post, and the Uruguayan’s header was directed past Hamed Al Shanqiti by Doumbia.
And Neves was involved again for the visitors’ second in the 57th minute after his initial long shot was parried by the goalkeeper, and Leonardo reacted quickest to poke the ball home and double his side’s advantage.
Nunez thought he had scored a third for Al-Hilal in the final 10 minutes, but the linesman promptly raised his flag for offside, while Karim Benzema saw two late efforts go wide of either post as Al-Ittihad failed to mount a comeback.
Al-Hilal leapfrogged Al-Ahli in the table, after Matthias Jaissle’s side had moved above them with a 1-0 win over Al-Najma on Thursday.
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