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Al-Hilal Stays Perfect as Al-Ittihad Slumps Again in AFC Champions League Elite

Early group play underscores Saudi strength under a revamped league format that leads to centralized knockout rounds in Saudi Arabia.

Overview

  • Marcos Leonardo’s 79th-minute finish sealed Al-Hilal’s 3-2 victory at Nasaf Qarshi, taking the four-time champions to six points from two matches.
  • Defending titleholder Al-Ahli drew 2-2 at Al-Duhail in Doha and sits on four points after two league-phase games.
  • Al-Ittihad lost 1-0 at home to Shabab Al-Ahli on Saeid Ezatolahi’s first-half header, marking a second straight defeat under interim coach Hassan Khalifa.
  • Elsewhere in Matchday 2, Al-Gharafa beat Al-Shorta 2-0, Tractor drew 0-0 with Al-Wahda, and Sharjah earned a 1-1 draw at Al-Sadd, with additional draws and split results across East Asia.
  • The top eight teams in each 12-club West and East league phase advance to March knockouts, which the AFC will stage on a centralized basis in Saudi Arabia in late April, as the confederation also expunged Mohun Bagan’s earlier second-tier result after the club refused travel to Iran.