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.
Al-Hilal’s miserable AFC Champions League season continues after Al-Ain defeat
Al-Hilal’s miserable AFC Champions League season continues after Al-Ain defeat
Rhodes, Choi seize early lead as Ciganda thrills with ace in Riyadh
- Briton, South Korean both open with 8-under 64
- KSA youth program has 370 students taking part
RIYADH: Mimi Rhodes and Hye-Jin Choi set the early pace at the PIF Saudi Ladies International after both carded impressive eight-under-par 64 in the opening round at Riyadh Golf Club on Wednesday.
The pair lead in the curtain raiser for the 2026 PIF Global Series and the Ladies European Tour, with Japan’s Chizzy Iwai, Belgium’s Manon De Roey and defending champion Patty Tavatanakit in close pursuit.
Britian’s Rhodes delivered a flawless, bogey-free round highlighted by a strong finish, while South Korea’s Choi surged into contention with six birdies across her opening nine holes.
Choi, who boasts seven top-10 finishes in major championships, has carried her strong late-2025 LPGA form into the new season after finishing inside the top 30 in her last six tournaments.
Making her PIF Global Series debut, Choi said: “My shots didn’t feel that good, but my putting was crazy. I made two long putts and then after that I felt better and much more confident, so that’s why I feel I played well.
“I played really well last year, and have only started well today, so I don’t know what the future holds yet, but I’ll just give it my best shot.”
Rhodes, the 2025 LET Rookie of the Year, credited her consistency and strong putting performance for her fast start after the winter break.
“Clearly a lot went well for me today. Having had so much time off (over the winter break), I was a bit nervous at the start,” she said. “I left a few putts short, but the game felt solid.
I missed a few greens on the front nine, but I made up-and-downs. On the back nine, I just forgot about my score, and I was trying to make as many birdies as I could. I don’t think I missed a green on the back nine, so everything was feeling good. My putting was on point.
“I think the course is the best that’s it’s ever been. The greens have improved so much, they’re rolling so nice and I just got used to the speed of them early on and focused a lot on the practice rounds. I was looking at breaks and the speed of the greens, and it paid off today.”
One of the standout moments of the opening round came from Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, who struck a hole-in-one at the 157-yard (144-meter), par-three eighth hole, on her way to posting a five-under-par 67.
“I had 144 meters, and I played a par three a couple of holes before that, hit a nine (iron), and it was pretty good. So, I just hit the same club, the wind was very similar, and it just went straight to the pin.
“We couldn’t see, so I didn’t know what happened, and then the camera guy told us that it went in, so it took us a few seconds to realize. I am very happy to have a hole in one and start the day like this,” Ciganda said.
Ciganda highlighted the growing popularity of golf in Saudi Arabia and the tournament’s role in expanding the women’s game. “Every time I come to Saudi I see more people here, more kids, more women, everyone enjoying themselves.
“I know golf is a pretty new sport here, but I think the more we play and the more we come, the more normal is going to be so I’m very happy to be playing here, and hopefully we can make an impact.”
Beyond the on-course action, the event continues to support youth engagement through the Sustained Futures initiative, which aims to inspire the next generation through golf clinics, career talks and course tours.
The 2026 program launched with 370 students set to take part over the four-day tournament.
“Leading this youth engagement initiative is profoundly meaningful to me, as it represents an opportunity to foster dialogue, empowerment, and positive development among young people,” said Iven Ilievska, spokesperson for Sustained Futures.
“Seeing so many bright young people looking to the future, capturing innovative ideas, and stepping forward as advocates for change makes me incredibly proud.
“Sustained Futures is using sport as a powerful platform to raise awareness about environment consciousness and help bridge the green skills gap. It’s an honor to lead this engagement and to connect with such inspiring young minds.”
