Al-Hilal secure Saudi League title with 4-1 win over Al-Hazem
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RIYADH – Undefeated Al-Hilal won a record-extending 19th Saudi Pro League title on May 11 with a 4-1 victory over Al-Hazem, extending Cristiano Ronaldo’s wait for silverware in the big-spending competition since his arrival in January 2023.
Jorge Jesus’ side hold a 12-point advantage with three matches left over Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, who are runners-up for a second season.
Aleksandar Mitrovic, signed from Fulham in the English Premier League in the summer, gave Al-Hilal the lead from the penalty spot after 15 minutes but Faiz Selemani netted the equaliser for Al-Hazem in the 34th minute. However, the home side took the lead again with an own goal from Ahmed Al-Juwaid in the 39th minute.
Mitrovic scored again in first-half stoppage time and fellow Serb Sergej Milinkovic-Savic netted three minutes later to make it 4-1.
The victory ensured that Al-Hilal, who lost Neymar to injury in October, reclaimed the title from Al-Ittihad. Al-Hilal were third last season, 13 points off the pace for their worst finish since 2014-15. But they strengthened their squad, signing the likes of Ruben Neves, Milinkovic-Savic and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Al-Hilal lifted the trophy in Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium and are chasing the treble. They clinched the Saudi Super Cup title in April, and could further frustrate Ronaldo in the Saudi King's Cup final, where they will play Riyadh rivals Al-Nassr on May 31.
Ronaldo could yet finish with the Golden Boot. On May 10, he scored his 33rd goal in a 3-2 win at Al-Okhdood and is seven clear of Mitrovic in second. He is only a goal behind Abderrazak Hamdallah’s record set in 2019.
Al-Hilal are unbeaten in 31 league matches, dropping just four points all season, and have put together a run of 34 consecutive wins in all competitions – a record for a top-flight team.
Portuguese Jesus said: “I have many goals if I continue as coach of the team, including competing for the Asian Champions League title (they are record four-time champions) and also making a quality participation in next year’s Club World Cup.” REUTERS, AFP
