Analysis: Ruthless Al Hilal negate Omar Abdulrahman to romp past Al Ain

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Ruthless Al Hilal negate Omar Abdulrahman to romp past Al Ain

Riyadh: Saudi giants Al Hilal proved to be clinical and astute as they clinched a 3-0 win over Al Ain in the second leg of their 2017 AFC Champions League quarter-final. Brazilian star Carlos Eduardo's hat-trick swept away the challenge of the Emirati side who held them to a goalless draw in the first leg.

Set piece routines changed the game

Going into Monday's game, Al Ain knew that an away goal could swing the tie in their favour but they were unable to sieze the advantage in the first half. Instead, it was Al Hilal who dealt them a double blow just before halftime courtesy of two set piece routines. Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Milesi was instrumental on both occasions. First, he delivered a pinpoint free kick for Carlos Eduardo to head in past Khaled Eisa. 

A few minutes later, Al Hilal perfected what seemed to be a move right off the training pitch. After a foul on Omar Khribin, Salem Al Dawsari laid the ball across for Milesi, who was displayed his accuracy once again by picking out Eduardo. The Brazilian beat the offside trap, controlled the ball and slammed it home to make it 2-0 to the Saudi side. 

The Milesi – Carlos Eduardo combination delivered at a crucial juncture put the game beyond the reach of Al Ain, who could not recover from the setback.

Clinical Carlos Eduardo shows the way

It was the difference between the two sides' attacks that paved the way for Al Hilal's win. Zoran Mamic's Al Ain could only muster a single shot on target throughout the whole game, which came via Markus Berg in the first half. 

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Set piece routines changed the game

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Going into Monday's game, Al Ain knew that an away goal could swing the tie in their favour but they were unable to sieze the advantage in the first half. Instead, it was Al Hilal who dealt them a double blow just before halftime courtesy of two set piece routines. Uruguayan midfielder Nicolas Milesi was instrumental on both occasions. First, he delivered a pinpoint free kick for Carlos Eduardo to head in past Khaled Eisa.\u00a0

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A few minutes later, Al Hilal perfected what seemed to be a move right off the training pitch. After a foul on Omar Khribin, Salem Al Dawsari laid the ball across for Milesi, who was displayed his accuracy once again by picking out Eduardo. The Brazilian beat the offside trap, controlled the ball and slammed it home to make it 2-0 to the Saudi side.\u00a0

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The Milesi \u2013 Carlos Eduardo combination delivered at a crucial juncture put the game beyond the reach of Al Ain, who could not recover from the setback.

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Clinical Carlos Eduardo shows the way

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It was the difference between the two sides' attacks that paved the way for Al Hilal's win. Zoran Mamic's Al Ain could only muster a single shot on target throughout the whole game, which came via Markus Berg in the first half.\u00a0

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