Al-Hilal ease back into AFC Champions League Elite top spot

Al-Hilal players celebrate Marcos Leonardo’s opener against Al-Gharafa, Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Dec. 3, 2024. (Reuters)
Short Url
Updated 04 December 2024
Follow

Al-Hilal ease back into AFC Champions League Elite top spot

  • Al-Hilal register comfortable 3-0 victory over Al-Gharafa of Qatar 
  • Marcos Leonardo put the hosts ahead after just 18 minutes

Al-Hilal defeated Al-Gharafa of Qatar 3-0 on Tuesday to return to the top of their AFC Champions League Elite group with two games of the group stage remaining.

The four-time champions, who are already guaranteed a place in the round of 16 as the top eight from each of the two groups of 12 progress, found it easy as they strolled past the visitors.

The win moves them onto 16 points from six games, above Al-Ahli on goal difference and three points above Al-Nassr in third, although both their Saudi Pro League rivals have also booked their spots in the next round ahead of schedule.

Marcos Leonardo put the hosts ahead after just 18 minutes. Yasser Al-Shahrani had possession of the ball on the right side of the area and pulled it back to the Brazilian who shot first time into the roof of the net for his third goal of the tournament.

The Saudi Arabians were in control for much of the match but it took the Blues until the 82nd minute to add to the scoreline and seal the win, the goal coming courtesy of in-form Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Salem Al-Dawsari drove at the defence and fed the Serbian striker just outside the area. Mitrovic had time to turn and drive a low shot toward the target but Sergio Rico in the Al-Gharafa goal should have done better.

However, few in Riyadh cared, and just three minutes later it was 3-0. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who had scored twice on Saturday to give Al-Hilal a vital 2-1 win over Al-Shabab in the Saudi Pro League, netted again, this time with a simple but well-taken goal. Malcom swung over a corner from the right and the former Lazio midfielder climbed well just outside the six-yard box to head home powerfully.

That concluded the last of the Asian action until 2025 and the Saudi Arabian clubs are looking very healthy indeed at the end of the year.


Eala eyes first WTA 500 title at site of career breakthrough

Updated 7 sec ago
Follow

Eala eyes first WTA 500 title at site of career breakthrough

  • The rising star faces wildcard Zeynep Sonmez in opening round as she targets milestone season

ABU DHABI: Alexandra Eala returns to the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open this week carrying momentum, confidence and the chance to make history at the tournament that first launched her onto the WTA 500 stage.

The 20-year-old Filipino star faces wildcard Zeynep Sonmez on Monday evening at the International Tennis Centre at Zayed Sports City, marking a full-circle moment in one of tennis’ most compelling breakthrough journeys.

Eala arrived in Abu Dhabi two years ago ranked outside the world’s top 180, marking both her WTA 500 and UAE debut. She returns in 2026 as a Top 50 player — the first Filipina to achieve the milestone — following a remarkable rise that has made her one of the sport’s fastest-growing talents.

“I still remember my match here — I played Magdalena Fręch — and it was such a great learning experience for me,” Eala said as she reflected on her 2024 Abu Dhabi debut. “I think that was my first time in the UAE. A lot of new experiences, and I’ve grown a lot since then. So, let’s see how this year pans out.”

Eala’s ascent gathered pace during a career-defining 2025 campaign that saw her develop from a promising contender into a genuine tour threat. Beginning the season ranked No. 147, she battled through qualifying events and WTA 125 tournaments before delivering a stunning breakout performance at the Miami Open.

Competing as a wildcard, she defeated former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, 2025 Australian Open winner Madison Keys, and world No. 2 Iga Swiątek in consecutive matches. The historic run made Eala the first Filipino to defeat a Top 10 player, the first to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal, and the first wildcard in WTA history to defeat three Grand Slam champions in a single tournament.

“I think there are quite prominent differences in all aspects of my game,” said Eala, when asked about her evolution. “But more than that, I think it’s just the maturity of everything — how I approach things on court. Physically I’m more mature, a little stronger. It’s well-rounded growth.”

That maturity became a defining feature of her season. At the US Open, Eala rallied from a set down to defeat 14th seed Clara Tauson, becoming the first Filipino to win a Grand Slam singles match in the Open Era. She also captured her maiden WTA 125 title in Guadalajara after recovering from a 1-6 opening set deficit, underlining the composure that has become central to her game.

Now back on the hard courts of Zayed Sports City — a surface that has produced some of her biggest career moments — Eala has another opportunity to break new ground. No Filipino player has ever captured a WTA 500 title.

“It would mean the world — and not just as a Filipino, but just as me,” Eala said when asked about the possibility of becoming the first from her country to win a WTA 500 tournament. “It would just mean so much for my personal growth and my personal journey.”

Eala’s return has already sparked excitement among the UAE’s sizeable Filipino community, with supporters gathering at Zayed Sports City during her media appearances on Sunday.

The rising star, now one of the Philippines’ most recognizable sporting figures with more than 869,000 Instagram followers, acknowledged the expectations that come with representing her country on the global stage.

“I want to say it’s business as usual, but, you know, it’s inevitable — with a lot of eyes on you, you’ll feel some pressure,” Eala explained. “But the thing is, all players feel pressure, and you just have to learn how to deal with it. And I think I’ve been doing pretty well so far.”

Victory against Sonmez would secure Eala a place in the second round of a tournament that has already played a pivotal role in her career — and potentially set the stage for another landmark achievement.

The match is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 2, not before 5 p.m. local time.