Al Hilal put behind them their elimination in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League, against Al Ain, with an aggregate score of 5-4, and returned to winning ways late on Friday afternoon, when they hosted and beat Al Fateh, 3-1.

A very complicated match for the team managed by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, who found themselves at a disadvantage after 57 minutes, due to a precise shot by Lucas Zalarayan with an assist by Cristian Tello, a former FC Porto player, in a move in which Yassine Bono did not look good at all in the 'photograph'.

However, the visitors' celebration did not last long, as in the following minute, Michael restored the tie. The 'somersault' would come in the 72nd minute, when Rúben Neves converted a penalty that generated great protests from the opposing team. Already in stoppage time, Ali Al-Bulaihi gave the 'final blow'.

With this triumph, Al Hilal now has 80 points, which leaves them in isolated leadership of the Saudi Arabian championship, with a 12-point advantage over Al Nassr, also of the Portuguese Luís Castro, Otávio and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Al Fateh, on the other hand, remains with 40 points, at a time when there are only five rounds left to play, so they occupy sixth place, tied with Al-Ettifaq, who still have a match scheduled with Al Raed.

Lineups

Al Hilal: Bono; Saud, Koulibally, Al Bulayhi, Lodi; Rúben Neves, Kanno, Milinkovic-Savic; Salman, Nasser and Michael.

Al Fateh: Rinnie; Saeed, Ammar, Marwane, Al Nadji; Alfheed, Mukhtar, Othman, Sofiane; Lucas and Tello.

Preview

Still recovering from the 'hangover' resulting from their elimination in the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League, against Al Ain, Al Hilal will host Al Fateh early on Friday afternoon, in the hope of taking another step towards the Saudi Arabian championship title.

The team managed by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus currently leads the table in isolation, with 77 points, nine more than the second-placed team, Al Nassr, of Luís Castro, Otávio and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have played one more game.

They will face the current sixth-placed team, which has two familiar faces in Portuguese football. They are Cristian Tello, a former FC Porto player, and Djaniny Semedo, who played for Benfica, União de Leiria, Olhanense and Nacional in Portugal.

Al Hilal-Al Fateh will take place at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, in Riyadh, and you can follow it live, from 4:00 pm (mainland Portugal time), on Desporto ao Minuto.

Also Read: Jorge Jesus and the elimination: "If a clear penalty had been called..." (Portuguese version)