West Asia is blue. The AFC Champions League West semi-final took place earlier this week, and a historical one it was.
In a rare footballing display on Sunday, Saudi club Al Hilal thrashed Qatari side Al Duhail in Doha, 7-0.
The most significant victory ever at this stage, and in the competition overall, came in tremendous style.
From the first minute, this evening was all Al Hilal.
Odion Ighalo, who scored four goals, and Moussa Marega, who scored a brace, ran over their opponents and managed the show superbly.
Salem Al Dawsari also contributed his share with a beautiful goal and two assists.
At times it looked like a concert of South American rock-n’-roll.
Ramon Diaz's players danced on the pitch with pace, creativity, persistence and power, leaving no room for Al Duhail's players to develop any form of attack.
One of Diaz's earliest students, Hernán Crespo, Al Duhail's coach, stood answerless on the sidelines while he witnessed one of the best Asian club sides ever in action.
At halftime, the scoreboard showed 5-0, and it could have been more if VAR hadn’t canceled out another Marega goal on the verge of halftime.
What was that?! 🇸🇦Al-Hilal humiliated 🇶🇦Al-Duhail 7-0 in the #ACL2022 semi-final. The Saudis played a brilliant first half and scored five goals. Ighalo, with a hattrick, two goals by Marega and another one by Salem Al-Dawsari, completed the celebration pic.twitter.com/cq7gZwaxWV
— BabaGol (@BabaGol_) February 26, 2023
In the second half, the trend continued - Al Hilal were filled with a juvenile energy, while Al Duhail sought answers.
This victory was much more than just the convincing result.
For obvious reasons, any clash between a Saudi and Qatari side has more juice in it, following the Gulf Crisis that has spanned nearly half of the past decade.
After the 2022 World Cup, where the Qataris hosted and the Saudis sat and watched how it should be done, Al Hilal’s victory symbolised the new leading football nation of the Gulf region. Qatar out, Saudi in.
While the eyes of the world are focusing on Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr when it comes to Saudi football, it’s evident that Al Hilal is developing at a different pace.
In fact, they’ve already developed.
Their past month included a massive campaign in the Club World Cup, becoming the first Asian champions to reach the final, and a perfect Champions League knockout campaign.
Only Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv, back in 1969, UAE’s Al Ain, and Hilal's great rivals Ittihad Jeddah, have won an ACL semi-final by at least five goals.
Al Hilal is the first to win by seven.
Next up, they will face Urawa Red Diamonds in the AFC Champions League final.
The two met in 2017 and 2019, with a victory for each side - one in Japan, one in Saudi Arabia.
Due to Al Hilal's success, Urawa Red Diamonds is guaranteed its spot in the Club World Cup, because the tournament will be held in Saudi Arabia.
If Urawa wins, they'll arrive as the Asian champions, but if Al Hilal wins, the runner-ups are joining as guest participants.
So West Asia is blue, that's for sure. But soon, will the whole continent?
That assist from @7amdan_abood 🤯
— #ACL2022 (@TheAFCCL) February 26, 2023
And as clinical as ever from @ighalojude 🦅#ACL2022 | @Alhilal_EN pic.twitter.com/uUjfHThkYR
Russia’s connection with the region is growing
Two Middle Eastern nations will play Russia in the up-and-coming international window in March.
The Russians will host Iraq in Sochi, and will then travel to Tehran to face Team Melli, who is yet to name a new coach after Carlos Queiroz’s move to the Qatar national team.
And rumours have been circulating that Felix Sanchez, former Qatar coach, is a nominee.
Edited by Alex Smith
