{
  "id": 16814556,
  "title": "Understrength Al-Hilal slip to first defeat in Asian Champions League",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/understrength-al-hilal-slip-to-first-defeat-in-asian-champions-league",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-27T23:11:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/football/2026/10/1565063/understrength-al-hilal-slip-first-defeat-asian-champions-league"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "QATAR: Qatar’s Al-Shamal claimed a 3-1 win over Al-Hilal at Al-Bayt Stadium on Tuesday to hand the understrength Saudi Pro League leaders their first loss in the western league phase of the Asian Champions League Elite.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/miguel-cardoso-vows-mamelodi-sundowns-will-rise-from-caf-champions",
        "published": "2026-10-25T04:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Al-Ahli to host Qatar’s Al-Gharafa in AFC Elite Champions League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/al-ahli-to-host-qatars-al-gharafa-in-afc-elite-champions-league",
        "published": "2026-10-25T14:17:57.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/27/former-man-united-champions-league-winner-nani-announces-huge-career",
        "published": "2026-10-27T08:05:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}