Al Hilal showcased their resilience and championship spirit on Tuesday night, securing a decisive 5-1 victory against Al Kholood, just days after experiencing a heavy loss to title rivals Al Ittihad. The match, played at the Kingdom Arena, confirmed Al Hilal's ambition to remain at the forefront of the Roshn Saudi League title race.
It was not just about the scoreline; it was about the manner of the win. From the first whistle, Al Hilal took charge, with Brazilian forward Malcom opening the scoring just three minutes in. Al Dawsari quickly followed, doubling the hosts' advantage within the first four minutes. Malcom then struck again at the 20-minute mark, putting Al Hilal firmly on course for victory with his second of the night. Marcos Leonardo added another goal shortly after, culminating the first half with Al Hilal leading 4-0.
The victory brought cheer to the fans and lifted the team's spirits. Malcom expressed satisfaction with the performance, stating, "We are all good. The most important is to keep adding points. And hoping our rivals lose some points." With this victory, the gap between Al Hilal and leaders Al Ittihad shrank to just four points.
The team’s next challenge is against Al Ahli, who are buoyed by three consecutive wins, including a 4-1 victory over Al Qadsiah earlier this week. Malcom reaffirmed the high stakes, saying, "When we play for Hilal, we always want to win. We step onto the pitch to win, no matter the opponent we are playing against." The focus now shifts to recovery and preparation for their next match, scheduled for Friday at the Kingdom Arena.
Gerard Piqué, the former Barcelona star, who watched the match against Al Kholood, praised Al Hilal’s remarkable performance and the electrifying atmosphere at the Kingdom Arena. He remarked, "The atmosphere was absolutely amazing, and the crowd noise was tremendous. It seems the lead of 4-0 at halftime made things special for the fans." Piqué’s admiration extends to Al Hilal’s competitiveness, especially as they gear up for the Club World Cup, where they will face notable squads such as Real Madrid, RB Salzburg, and Pachuca.
Reflecting on the potential of Al Hilal, Piqué noted, "If Al-Hilal continues to deliver this wonderful level, they will have significant presence in the Club World Cup." This assertion highlights not only the club’s impressive form but also its growing stature on the global football stage.
Looking back at the 5-1 triumph, the performance signals Al Hilal’s readiness to recapture the Roshn Saudi League title, particularly demonstrating their ability to bounce back following adversity. Fans are now eagerly anticipating how the team will perform against Al Ahli, as every game begins to count more with the race for the championship intensifying.
With Malcom leading the charge, there’s little doubt Al Hilal will enter the weekend clash with optimism and determination, aiming for nothing less than victory to keep their title hopes alive. The excitement surrounding the team seems unshakeable as they prepare to compete against another challenging opponent, hoping for continued success as the season progresses.