Jardim: We were close to equalizing before Al Hilal scored the second and third goals

Easy mistakes and missed opportunities end Shabab Alahli's career in the «Asian Champions»

Shabab Alahli lost 1-3 to Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal. From the source

Shabab Al-Ahli said goodbye to the AFC Champions League football competition by losing to Saudi Al-Hilal by three goals to one in the round of 16, the day before yesterday, at Al-Janoub Stadium in the Qatari capital, Doha, to continue the decline of the country's clubs in the continental championship after he had left both Sharjah and Al-Jazira tournament from the group stage, and Bani Yas came out of the preliminary round.

The Dubai Knights paid the price for the easy mistakes made by the team in addition to the missed opportunities that contributed to the superiority of the "title holder", although Shabab Al-Ahli presented a very good level, but the achievement of Nigerian Ighalo the first goal in the 17th minute is the "turning point" in the match from a ball that goalkeeper Majid Nasser could have save, but it touched his hand and entered the goal at a time when Shabab Al-Ahli was providing an excellent level.

On the other hand, Yahya Al-Ghassani wasted more than one easy opportunity, and Al-Hilal goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayouf starred in saving more than one dangerous opportunity, before the «leader» took advantage of the mistakes of Shabab Al-Ahli defense and added the second and third goals, while the goal scored by the Syrian Omar Khreibin did not intercede for the return of the «Dubai Knights» to the meeting, and the team lost the match and bid farewell to the championship.

Shabab Al Ahli coach Leonardo Jardim said his team had a chance to draw at the very least before Al Hilal added the second and third goals.

The coach, who had previously coached Al Hilal at the beginning of last season and led it to achieve the title of the last edition of the continental championship, explained that Shabab Al Ahli wasted many opportunities, and said: «We made many opportunities, and the defect of the defenders caused scoring goals on us, and Al Hilal took advantage of mistakes, and lucked».

Despite the loss, Jardim nominated Al Hilal team to win the Asian Championship, explaining: "Al Hilal is a great rival team, always maintains distinguished players, and has the advantage in winning the continental title."