ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates: Al-Hilal beat Al-Ittihad 4-1 in the final of the Saudi Super Cup on Thursday to stay on course for an unprecedented quadruple.
The trophy, lifted in Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, is the first of the season for the Riyadh giant but is unlikely to be the last as the team is also 12 points clear of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr at the top of the Saudi Pro League with just seven games remaining.
Al-Hilal, also in the semifinal of the Asian Champions League and the Saudi King’s Cup, has also expanded its world record winning streak for top-tier teams to 34 consecutive games in all competitions.
Three days after defeating Al-Nassr in the semifinal, during which Ronaldo was sent off for elbowing Ali Al-Bulaihi, two goals from Brazilian winger Malcom did the damage for Al-Hilal. Salem Al-Dawsari and Nasser Al-Dawsari sealed the win with late goals.
“It was a difficult game and I am very happy to score two goals,” Malcom told Saudi television. “We are also happy to collect our first title of the season but we are chasing more trophies.”
Ittihad striker Karim Benzema, signed from Real Madrid last summer, was unable to find the target while colleague Abderrazak Hamdallah made up for missing a penalty by getting on the scoresheet.
The Moroccan forward featured in a controversial incident at the end of the match, however, as he seemed to get involved in an altercation with a fan standing close to the field. The supporter was led away by security personnel.
In 2023, the Super Cup was expanded from a single game between the league champion and King’s Cup winner to include the runners-up from both competitions. It was also moved to Abu Dhabi.
Al-Hilal returns to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to take on Al-Ain in the first leg of the Asian Champions League semifinals as it seeks a record fifth continental title.
The club’s potentially record-breaking season comes after it spent about 350 million euros ($380 million) on player transfers after being taken over by the Saudi sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund which is controlled by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Al-Hilal beats Al-Ittihad 4-1 in final of the Saudi Super Cup
https://arab.news/r87jh
Al-Hilal beats Al-Ittihad 4-1 in final of the Saudi Super Cup
- “It was a difficult game and I am very happy to score two goals,” Malcom told Saudi television
Kanno brace sends Saudi Arabia through while Morocco, Palestine stay on course
- Mohamed Kanno scored twice as Saudi Arabia came from a goalless first half to defeat Comoros
DOHA: Saudi Arabia booked their place in the FIFA Arab Cup quarter-finals with a 3-1 victory over tournament debutants Comoros on Friday, while Morocco remained on course for the knockout stages despite being held by Oman.
Mohamed Kanno scored twice as Saudi Arabia came from a goalless first half to defeat Comoros and finish top of their group.
The debutants had threatened an early breakthrough when Affane Said Djambae headed wide in the 20th minute, a miss they would rue.
Deep into stoppage time, a goalkeeping error allowed Salem Al-Dawsari to tee up Kanno for a powerful header, before the pair combined again shortly after the break for Saudi Arabia’s second.
Comoros briefly reignited hopes through Ibroihim Djoudja, but Al-Dawsari sealed the win with a superb solo effort.
Earlier, ten-man Morocco played out a scoreless draw with Oman in Al-Rayyan to retain top spot in Group B.
Captain Abderrazzaq Hamdallah went closest before being sent off early in the second half, but Oman were unable to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
Thursday’s action saw late drama once again shape Group A.
Palestine struck in the closing stages for a second straight game to earn a crucial 2-2 draw against Tunisia, leaving them level with Syria at the top of the standings.
Zaid Qunbar, who scored the equalizer, was named player of the match.
Syria also left it late, with Omar Khribin’s stoppage-time goal earning a 1-1 draw with hosts Qatar and keeping qualification finely balanced heading into the final group fixtures.
