Abu Dhabi, UAE – Shabab Al-Ahly Dubai postponed their qualification for the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite Championship. This happened after stumbling against their guest Al-Hilal, with a goalless draw.
Shabab Al Ahly met Al Hilal on Monday evening at Rashid Stadium. This was part of the seventh round of the AFC Champions League Elite League stage.
The draw increased Al Hilal’s points tally to 19, maintaining their lead in the group. Meanwhile, Shabab Al Ahly remained in fifth place with 11 points. They missed out on qualification for the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League.
“Dubai Knights” imposed their control over the course of the game during the first half. They succeeded in reaching the danger zones on more than one occasion. As a result, they threatened Al Hilal’s goal with several clear chances.
Bala stood out as the team’s most active and influential player, thanks to his quick movements and individual skills that troubled the Saudi team’s defense. However, a lack of a final touch prevented them from scoring the opening goal.
With the start of the second half, the features of the match changed. The performance of Shabab Al-Ahli declined, which gave Al-Hilal the advantage in ball possession and imposing its attacking rhythm.
Despite the relative control of the visiting team, their attempts were met with a well-organized defense by Shabab Al Ahli. The home side succeeded in closing down spaces and keeping a clean sheet until the final whistle.
