{"id":29883,"date":"2023-11-30T04:57:07","date_gmt":"2023-11-30T04:57:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/al-hilal-reach-champions-league-knockouts-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-11-30T04:57:07","modified_gmt":"2023-11-30T04:57:07","slug":"al-hilal-reach-champions-league-knockouts-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/al-hilal-reach-champions-league-knockouts-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Al Hilal reach Champions League knockouts | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nABU DHABI:
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Salem Al Dawsari missed two penalties but scored with a lob from distance as Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal<\/a> sealed a spot in the Asian Champions League knockout stages on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

The winger, who was last month named the continent’s best men’s player, spurned a spot-kick in either half in the Group D tie against Navbahor in Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n

But after substitute Malcolm struck the game’s opening goal, Al Dawsari atoned with some distinction for the four-time champions late on in a 2-0 win.<\/p>\n

Malcolm’s effort, a rebound from Al Dawsari’s second saved penalty on 68 minutes, was the Brazilian’s first touch of the match. The goal was also his first in the competition since a summer move from Zenit Saint Petersburg.<\/p>\n

With four minutes remaining, Al Dawsari made the result safe when he beat goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov from around 35 yards. Navbahor’s Ibrokhim Yuldoshev was sent off late on for a second bookable offence.<\/p>\n

The victory was enough to take Hilal, Champions League<\/a> runners-up last season, through to the last 16 as group winners with one game to spare.<\/p>\n

In Group A, UAE’s Al Ain suffered their first defeat of this continental campaign when they lost 3-1 at home to Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan. The result mattered little to the 2003 champions, though, since Al Ain had already secured their place in the last 16.<\/p>\n

In the group’s other fixture, Saudi side Al Fayha got only a second win of this campaign with a 3-1 home victory against Turkmenistan’s Ahal. Pakhtakor are second going into the final matchday.<\/p>\n

Only the group winners are guaranteed to advance to the last 16, with the six best runners-up joining them.<\/p>\n

In the East Asian side of the draw, Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale made it five wins from five Group I matches to ease into the knockout stage, defeating Malaysia’s Johor 5-0 at home.<\/p>\n

South Korean side Ulsan stay second following a 3-1 victory against BG Pathum United in Thailand. Both BG Pathum United and Johor will exit the competition at the group stage.<\/p>\n

In Group G, Chinese Super League club Shandong Taishan went top by dispatching already eliminated Kaya FC of the Philippines 6-1 in Jinan, while Yokohama F Marinos suffered a potentially damaging 2-1 loss against South Korea’s Incheon United.<\/p>\n

Incheon and Yokohama each have nine points, with the Korean club second given their superior head-to-head record.<\/p>\n

The group stage, which this year returned to a home-and-away format for the first time since early 2020, will conclude in mid-December.<\/p>\n

The knockout rounds start in February and the final takes place across two legs in May.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n