RIYADH: Goals from Sultan Al Saud, Mohamed Al Shlhoub and Rodrigo Fernandez saw Al Hilal thrash Al Qadsiya 3-0 and storm into the step-ladder final of the Saudi League recently.

Al Saud opened the scoring for the 2005 champions in the 41st minute before Al Shlhoub doubled the advantage on the hour. Rodrigo then made it 3-0 four minutes later and sealed the win.

Three other teams will eventually make up the ‘elite four’ and play on a step-ladder basis, with the winner of the clash between the third and fourth placed teams playing the second-placed team and the victors of this encounter clashing with Al Hilal in the grand finale.

Al Wahda managed to hold on to second place after a 1-1 draw with Al Faysaly despite being reduced to 10 men in the eighth minute. Hamad Ji fired Al Wahda into the lead on 25 minutes after Suliman Ameedo was redcarded with the match just eight minutes old. However, Aboh Bernaoy restored parity for Al Faysaly in the 36th minute and both sides were content to play for a point.

Former Asian club champions Al Ittihad came back from a goal down to edge Al Hazm 2-1 with goals from Wagner and Mohamed Noor.

Defending champions Al Shabab are in fourth spot after late goals from Nashat Akram and Goddwin Attram helped them beat 10-man Al Ettifaq.

In other matches, Al Ahli drew with Al Nasr 1-1 and Al Taei edged Al Khaleej 2-1.

STANDINGS: 1. Al Hilal 44, 2. Al Wahda 40, 3. Al Ittihad 38, 4. Al Shabab 38, 5. Al Ahli 26