Jobaaj Stories
Al Hilal's Dominant 7-0 Victory Over Gwangju in AFC Champions League
Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia showcased their dominance in the AFC Champions League Elite quarterfinals, delivering a resounding 7-0 victory against South Korea's Gwangju FC. This crushing defeat highlights the significant gap in quality between the Saudi Pro League champions and their K-League opponents. The match, played at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, saw Al Hilal cruise to victory with a stunning display of attacking prowess.
A Dominant Performance
Al Hilal's victory was never in doubt. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring in the sixth minute, setting the tone for the match. Marcos Leonardo added a second in the 25th minute, followed by Salem Al-Dawsari’s goal eight minutes later, establishing a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime. The second half saw no let-up, with Aleksandar Mitrovic, Malcom, Nasser Al-Dawsari, and Abdullah Al-Hamdan all finding the back of the net, culminating in a 7-0 rout.
Al-Dawsari's Stellar Performance
Salem Al-Dawsari, the 2022 Asian Footballer of the Year, was instrumental in Al Hilal's success. His goal and assist further cemented his status as a top performer, bringing his tally to nine goals in the tournament – joint-top scorer with Gwangju's Jasir Asani.
Post-Match Controversy
While the on-field action was one-sided, a post-match handshake incident between Al Hilal's coach Jorge Jesus and Gwangju's coach Lee Jung-hyo added an unexpected twist. Jesus's perceived refusal to shake hands sparked controversy, with Lee Jung-hyo downplaying the incident in a post-match interview.
What's Next for Al Hilal?
Al Hilal advances to the semifinals, where they will face either fellow Saudi club Al Ahli or Thailand's Buriram United. Their dominant performance underlines their ambition to win a record-extending fifth AFC Champions League title. This victory, coupled with the strong showing from other Saudi clubs (Al Nassr and Al Ahli), underscores the growing power of Saudi Arabian football on the Asian stage.
