JEDDAH: Al Hilal scraped past Al Ahli 2-1 to gain crucial three points in round five of the Saudi Professional League at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium here in Jeddah yesterday.
Hilal got their opening goal in the 14th minute when Muhammad Shalhoub found the net with a long ranger, which gave rival goalkeeper no chance.
Christian Wilhelmsson doubled the score 15 minutes later when he gave finishing touches in front of the Ahli goal following a cross from the left.
Ahli reduced the margin after the change of ends through Hasan Al-Raheb. Hilal could have won the match by a bigger margin had it not been for goalkeeper Mansour Al-Najaie who put up a brave show under the Ahli bar.
TV commentators blamed the Ahli defense for their defeat.
This was the second loss for Ahli. Earlier in round four they lost to Al Shabab 2-1.
Security forces had to be called into the stadium after the match following a clash between rival supporters, some who were arrested.
In the other matches, Al-Fateh shocked their more fancied rivals Al Shabab 2-1 in Ahsa. This result was good news to Hilal and Ittihad. Wehda of Makkah defeated Najran 2-0 in Makkah.
Hilal jumped temporary to the first position with 13 points while Ahli dropped to the fifth spot with six points only. Shabab froze in third place with 10 points and Al-Fateh jumped to fourth position with seven points. Wehda is in the seventh place with five points and Najran are at the bottom with only one point.
