Understrength Al-Hilal slip to first defeat in Asian Champions League

On Tuesday, Qatar's Al-Shamal secured a 3-1 victory over Al-Hilal at Al-Bayt Stadium in the Asian Champions League Elite, marking the under-strength Saudi Pro League leaders' first loss in the western league phase. Wesley Said scored for Al-Shamal in the eighth minute, but Al-Hilal captain Salem Al-Dawsari equalized 24 minutes later with a counterattack.

Wesley Said's goal was canceled out by Al-Hilal's second-half goals from Baghdad Bounedjah and Mohamed Ben Romdhane. Al-Dawsari acknowledged there were many mistakes and vowed to learn from them in the next match. Al-Hilal, missing key players Ruben Neves, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Gabriel Martinelli, and Crysencio Summerville, now has six points, while Al-Shamal has five points after drawing their first two matches.

Shabab Al-Ahli ended Iran's unbeaten start with a 2-0 win over Esteghlal in Dubai, moving into second place behind Al-Ain with nine points each. The top eight teams from the 16-team leagues in West and East Asia will advance to the knockout rounds, with quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final to be held in Saudi Arabia in April and May.