AFC Champions League: Al Hilal First to Qualify for the Quarter-Finals

Dubai, September 13 (QNA) - The Saudi Al Hilal team won the first qualification for the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League this season, after achieving a precious victory over its Iranian counterpart Esteghlal Tehran, with two goals without return, in the confrontation that took place between them on Monday evening, at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai, in the round of 16 competitions. for the continental competition. Bafetimbi Gomez scored the first goal for Al-Hilal in the 39th minute of the match, then Salem Al-Dosari added the second in the 56th minute of the match. The Saudi Al Hilal qualified from the first group as runner-up behind the Uzbek Ajmak, who excelled in direct confrontations, after collecting 10 points each, while the Iranian Esteghlal Club qualified for the third group as the leader after obtaining 11 points. Al Hilal seeks to regain the title that has not been crowned since 2019, and to return to participate in the Club World Cup in its next edition. The matches of the round of 16 of the current edition of the AFC Champions League will be held in one round, with the winning team qualifying for the quarter-finals. The Asian Football Confederation had announced earlier that Saudi Arabia would host the 2021 AFC Champions League final and the playoffs for the Western Region. (QNA)