Al-Hilal Crushes Guangju FC In ACLE Quarterfinals

In a stunning display of dominance, Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal overwhelmed Guangju FC with a staggering 7-0 victory in the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) quarterfinals on April 26, 2025. The match, held at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, marked the end of Guangju's historic run in the tournament, as they became the first city-owned team in K League history to reach the quarterfinals.

Guangju FC, under the guidance of coach Lee Jung-hyo, entered the match with high hopes after their remarkable journey to the last eight, which included a thrilling comeback against Japan's Vissel Kobe in the Round of 16. However, facing a star-studded Al-Hilal squad, the gulf in class became apparent early on.

Al-Hilal, boasting a lineup filled with international stars such as Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Yassin Bounou, wasted no time asserting their dominance. Just six minutes into the match, Milinkovic-Savic opened the scoring with a powerful header from a corner taken by Salem Al-Dawsari. This early goal set the tone for what would become a relentless assault on the Guangju defense.

Despite their initial efforts to press Al-Hilal and create scoring opportunities, Guangju struggled to contain the attacking prowess of their opponents. In the 25th minute, Marcos Leonardo doubled Al-Hilal's lead with a well-placed shot following a cutback from the right flank. The situation worsened for Guangju just eight minutes later when Al-Dawsari found the back of the net, extending the deficit to 3-0 before halftime.

Coach Lee had emphasized an attacking mindset in the pre-match interview, stating, "We will attack and look to score goals." However, as the match progressed, it became clear that Guangju's defense was unable to cope with the relentless pressure from Al-Hilal. The second half began similarly, with Al-Hilal continuing to press for more goals.

In the 55th minute, Mitrovic struck again, finishing a cutback from Milinkovic-Savic to make it 4-0. Guangju made tactical changes, bringing in Joo Se-jong and Park In-hyeok in hopes of finding a spark, but the Al-Hilal defense, anchored by Koulibaly, proved impenetrable.

As the match wore on, Al-Hilal's fifth goal came in the 79th minute, with Malcom scoring after a swift counterattack that sliced through Guangju's defense. The scoring frenzy did not stop there, as Al-Dawsari and Abdullah Hamdan added two more goals in the closing minutes, sealing the match at 7-0.

This defeat not only ended Guangju's historic run in the ACLE but also highlighted the vast differences in resources and experience between the two clubs. Al-Hilal's squad is valued at approximately 180 million euros, a staggering figure compared to Guangju's 14 million euros, underscoring the challenges faced by the K League team.

Despite the heavy loss, Guangju's journey to the quarterfinals has been a monumental achievement for the club and its supporters. They entered the tournament with a determination to prove their capabilities, having previously defeated formidable opponents like Yokohama F. Marinos and Buriram United.

As the final whistle blew, the players and coaching staff of Guangju FC were left to reflect on a season filled with highs and lows. Coach Lee expressed his disappointment but also pride in what the team had accomplished. "We faced one of the strongest teams in Asia today, and while the scoreline is tough to swallow, I am proud of our journey to this point," he said.

Looking ahead, Guangju FC will undoubtedly take valuable lessons from this experience as they continue to build and develop their squad for future competitions. The K League team has shown that they can compete at a high level, and their historic run in the ACLE will inspire both players and fans alike.

As for Al-Hilal, they move on to the semifinals, where they will continue their quest for continental glory. With a roster filled with talent and experience, they remain a formidable force in Asian football.

In conclusion, while Guangju FC's ACLE journey has come to an abrupt end, the memories of their remarkable achievements will linger on. The team has set a precedent for future city-owned clubs and has shown that with determination and hard work, anything is possible in football.