Five shots sum up Shabab Al Ahli’s struggles against Al Hilal

Shabab Al Ahli lost 0-2 to Saudi side Al Hilal in the fourth round of the AFC Champions League Elite, suffering their first defeat in the competition and remaining on nine points after three consecutive wins.

According to match statistics, Shabab Al Ahli had five shots to Al Hilal’s 11, with both teams recording two shots on target. The UAE side had 46% possession, compared with 54% for their opponents, while Al Hilal also led the corner count, with three to one.

Al Hilal scored in the sixth and 46th minutes. The first goal came after Kalidou Koulibaly won the ball and advanced before passing to Ollie Watkins. The second attack ended with a shot by the English striker after a pass from midfield split Shabab Al Ahli’s defence.

Shabab Al Ahli conceded two goals against Al Hilal, compared with one across their first three matches, raising their goals-conceded average to 0.75 per game from 0.33. The setback followed wins over Al Ain in the league and the President’s Cup, as well as an Asian victory over Iran’s Esteghlal.

The source noted that Guilherme Bala and Yuri César had been injured recently, and that their absence could reduce the team’s attacking options. However, it stressed that the number of shots alone does not prove the impact of those absences. Addressing defensive errors and making substitutes more effective were identified as requirements for returning to winning ways.