Eduardo named AFC Champions League Toyota Player of the Week

Click here for the full results of the Toyota Player of the Week for the 2015 AFC Champions League

Eduardo, who joined the Saudi Arabian side over the summer, netted Al Hilal’s second of the night with a close range finish nine minutes before half-time at King Fahd International Stadium before sealing the win with a 86th minute header.

The midfielder also completed 28 of 37 passes attempted on his AFC Champions League debut, while also winning two duels to win the statistics based award ahead of team-mates Khalid Kaabi and Ailton who also netted for the two-time Asian champions against Lekhwiya.

And Al Hilal will seek to continue that form next month in Doha as the two-time Asian champions look to defend their three-goal advantage at Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium to secure a second consecutive appearance in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League having lost last year’s final to 1-0 on aggregate Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers.

Eduardo’s compatriot Ailton was also on target at King Fahd International Stadium as the Brazilian opened the scoring after 11 minutes after capitalising on an error from Lekhwiya goalkeeper Amine Lecomte.

The striker, who also signed over the summer, further showed his worth to his new team by completing 23 of 27 passes attempted and winning four duels.

Team-mate Khalid Kaabi completed a clean sweep for Al Hilal at the top of the statistics table after the striker netted Al Hilal’s third goal just before half-time after turning home from a tight angle via the upright after Salem Al Dawsari’s attempt at goal had been deflected following a swift counterattack from the home side.

Another summer signing to mark his AFC Champions League debut in style was Brazilian Paulinho who netted a stunning first half free-kick from all of 40 yards as China’s Guangzhou Evergrande posted a 3-1 win over Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol.