Four less, two to play for Saudi sides in the 2022 AFC Champions League group stage. Defending champions Al-Hilal are through to the knockout stages and Al-Shabab are almost there. If the others are going to claim their rights, there is not much time left to do so. Here are five things we learned from the last action.
1. Al-Hilal is first in the second round

Two first-half goals from Odion Ighalo helped Al-Hilal win 3-0 against Tajikistan’s Istiklol. It is now four wins out of four in Group A, which retains the five-point lead at the top of the group with two games remaining.

More importantly, it guarantees the defending champions a spot in the next stage, the first team to do so. It means coach Ramon Diaz can start thinking about resuming the league campaign next month.

So far, it has been the perfect milestone in more ways than one for a side who have now secured 12 out of 12 wins under Diaz, equaling the club’s second-longest winning streak.

The first game came after just eight minutes with a classic goal. It was a textbook cross from Salman Al-Faraj and a textbook header from the Nigeria striker. He scored another fine strike later in the half, receiving the ball with his back to goal, turning to fire a low shot into the bottom corner.

In short, Al-Hilal was just too good for their opponents, who have now lost all four games.
2. The Nawaf Al-Abed show virtually secures the progress of Al-Shabab

Al-Shabab are nine and a half toes into the knockout stages after a comfortable 3-0 win over Al Quwa Al Jawiya of Iraq. This puts the Riyadh team six points clear at the top of Group B with just two games left. A single point is enough to secure first place in the group and a guaranteed place in the second round.

After dropping two points against the same team last week, no mistakes were made here. Former Al-Hilal midfielder Nawaf Al-Abed has struggled with injuries since playing with the national team on the way to the Russia World Cup and has since joined Al-Shabab . It was one of the best performances from the midfielder since he crossed the capital.

He scored a well-taken first game and then set up the other two for Carlos, although it has to be said that the Brazilian did most of the work for his first, a glorious shot into the roof of the net just outside inside the surface.

When you have Al-Abed with the Brazilian striker and Argentina’s Ever Banega firing at full throttle, Al-Shabab is not just too good for the Iraqi opposition, but too good for many teams in the tournament.

Al-Shabab may not be the favourite, but they have the talent to go all the way.
3. Al-Faisaly hangs on for a valuable point

At first glance, a 0-0 draw against Nasaf Qarshi, a team that Al-Faisaly had beaten a few days before, may seem disappointing. Especially since earlier in the day, Jordan’s Al-Wehdat did the Saudis a huge favor by beating Al-Sadd 3-1. That gave Al-Faisaly a chance to take a six-point lead with two games to go.

Yet, in a game where chances were scarce, most of them went to the Uzbekistan side, who were in the lead for much of the game. The hosts had few chances although Martin Boyle broke free late in the game and forced a superb save from the goalkeeper.

At the very least, Al-Faisaly didn’t lose the game, and kept control of the group thanks to a fine performance from goalkeeper Mustafa Malayekah. The old adage “if you can’t win, at least don’t lose” applies here.

Next is Jordan’s Al-Wehdat and a victory for the Saudi team will send them into the last 16 with one game to spare. It’s still a great position.
4. Al-Taawoun always enjoys the Asian adventure

The 1-1 draw with Iran’s Sepahan was likely a fair result, with both teams likely to claim victory. It was a score that suited the Saudis more than the visitors. That leaves Al-Taawoun second in the group with seven points from four games, two behind leaders Al-Duhail of Qatar, their next opponents.

The Buraidah club were a bit open at the back at times, with Sepahan hitting the woodwork twice before getting the equaliser. This is a concern that needs to be addressed before the next clash.

While Al-Taawoun beat Al-Duhail in the opener, it was a close race and the Qataris usually create plenty of chances and have the firepower to fend them off. A draw wouldn’t be a terrible result and would keep Al-Taawoun on course for, at the very least, a place in the last 16 as one of the second-best.
5. Good News From The East

While the West Zone was fairly predictable, that wasn’t the case in the opposite half. As previously reported, there is no Chinese challenge and Australian clubs don’t seem keen on improving their AFC Champions League record so far.

On day two, three South Korean teams – remember, the country is by far the most successful in terms of Asian titles won – lost to teams from Southeast Asia. Representatives from Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia are unlikely to go all the way, but they have shown that even 2020 champion Ulsan Horangi is vulnerable.

Only one thing is certain, there will be a team from the East who will face a team from the West in the final. Right now, the western half looks considerably stronger than its counterpart.