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Al Hilal overcome Al Jazira 3-2 to put them out of contention

 

Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia came from behind to snatch a 3-2 win over Al Jazira in their 4th AFC Champions League match played tonight at Mohammad Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. The visitors beat Al Jazira 3-1 in their away encounter played recently in Riyadh to raise their tally to 9 points, the same balance of Group A leaders Sepahan of Iran who lost this evening to Al Gharafa of Qatar by a lone goal. This defeat puts Al Jazira out of contention despite of having two games in hand after collecting one point that put them at the bottom of the ladder.

The visiting team put more pressure on their rivals' defense in the opening minutes looking for an early goal but the hosts' players stood solid to spoil their entire attempts. Al Jazira recovered quickly afterwards to play a balanced game creating some good chances, both they failed to build up dangerous attacks. The visitors played with full lineup while their contenders missed the efforts of a number of their key players. Their Brazilian coach Abel Braga rested the team's three professional stars Bare and his countryman Oliveira, Argentinean Delgado along with Ibrahima Diaky, Subait Khatir and goalkeeper Ali Khusaif. He fielded some of the reserve team players who produced brilliant display. Al Hilal made their attacks through Willhiamson, Yasser Al Gahtani and Ahmad Al Fraidi who reached the host team's goal area in many occasions but failed to convert. They came close to open the score when Willihamson penetrated from the left flank inside the box, sent a cross pass for Al Jazira's defender Sami Rabei to clear the ball away five minutes before the break.

The home team successeded in scoring two goals in two minutes to end the first half with a 2-0 result. Ali Mabkhoot opened the score in the 44th minute and his teammate Abdullah Gasim added the second one minute later.

The Saudi side recovered in the second session to take full control of the game. Their first choice Yasser Al Gahtani reduced the deficit in the 56th minute and leveled the score nine minutes later to make it 2-2. The visitors' midfielder Radoi from Romania netted the winner off a penalty in the 76th minute to secure a 3-2 win for his side.