DAMMAM: Al-Hilal’s fans might not be entirely convinced by the team’s performances this season but the fact remains they remain unbeaten in the Saudi Pro League after 31 games.
And they will head into their top-of-the-table clash with league leaders Al-Nassr next week just two points behind, thanks to a 2-1 away victory over Al-Khaleej on Tuesday in their postponed matchday 28 fixture. But they left it late to claim the points.
Al-Hilal fell behind inside the opening 15 minutes but managed to level the score in the 34th minute. Then, after sustained pressure in the second half, a defensive mistake from Al-Khaleej allowed Sultan Mandash to score in the 79th-minute, securing a vital win for his team and the player of the match award for himself.
The biggest talking point heading into the game centered on Karim Benzema and Salem Al-Dawsari: Pundits on official broadcaster Thmanyah had questioned their recent performances and suggested that Al-Hilal had appeared more dynamic when Marcos Leonardo and Mandash replaced them in a 3-0 victory over Al-Hazem on Saturday.
Head coach Simone Inzaghi seemed to respond, as Mandash and Leonardo started the game while Benzema and Al-Dawsari were relegated to the bench. Al-Hilal’s shape also changed yet again, as they adopted a 3-1-4-2 formation with Ruben Neves positioned at the heart of the defense and Malcom operating as a second striker.
Neves has proved influential when deployed as a right-sided center back, with his long-range passing ability contributing to a number of goals this season. Playing in a more central role limited that potential impact, however. Ali Lajami was instead tasked with distribution duties but was unable to match Neves for quality.
Kostas Fortounis managed to find ways to exploit Al-Hilal’s unfamiliar shape, driving through midfield to create opportunities for Joshua King; the Greek playmaker has been among the league’s standout performers this campaign, scoring 10 and providing 11 assists.
It was no great surprise, then, when the attacking duo combined to give 11th-place Al-Khaleej an early lead. Fortounis delivered a corner in the 11th minute that exposed Al-Hilal’s defense, and King was well-placed to put the ball past Yassine Bounou.
Al-Hilal responded in the 34th minute with a set-piece of their own: Neves found Sergej Milinkovic-Savic with a precise delivery from a corner and the Serbian met it to head home the equalizer.
After the break, Al-Khaleej held firm for long periods, frustrating Al-Hilal’s attempts to find a winner. Milinkovic-Savic thought he might have grabbed it but his effort was ruled out for offside following a review by the video assistant referee.
The breakthrough finally came in the 79th minute when Al-Khaleej left-back Pedro Rebocho misplayed a pass to goalkeeper Anthony Moris. Mandash was able to capitalize and fired home to send the traveling support wild.
Benzema and Al-Dawsari were introduced late on and both came very close to adding a third. Benzema had the ball in the net through a counter attack, but the linesman raised his flag for offside. Minutes later, Al-Dawsari sent a clear chance just inches wide of the post, keeping Al-Hilal’s fans on edge until the referee blew the final whistle.
The result means Al-Hilal can head into the Riyadh derby with Al-Nassr on May 12, potentially a title-decider, in high spirits and with everything to play for, although both sides have one more match to play before that highly-anticipated, high-stakes encounter.
Al-Nassr will visit Al-Shabab in the league on Thursday, while Al-Hilal face Al-Kholood on Friday in the final of the King Cup.
On Wednesday, Al-Ahli will play their game in hand against Al-Fateh at 9 p.m., hoping to tighten their grip on third place in the league.
