Analysis: Al Hilal fend-off Persepolis attacks to stay unbeaten
Muscat: Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal returned to the second AFC Champions League final in four years after defeating Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis 6-2 on aggregate in the semi-final.
However, despite the large margin of victory on paper, the Riyadh heavyweights did not have it all their own way in the second leg in Oman on Tuesday night.
Different Style, Same Efficiency
Al Hilal lined up in an unfamiliar 5-4-1 formation as they anticipated Persepolis to go all-out attempting to turn around a four-goal disadvantage. Salman Al Faraj and Nicolas Milesi shielded the back five while the attacking endeavours were left for Carlos Eduardo, Salem Al Dawsari and Omar Khribin.
The trio moved centrally to shorten the distances between them when in possession and their swift attacking combinations delivered on the counter. Khribin was once again on form, scoring twice as Al Hilal demonstrated their efficiency in front of goal with a 37.5% shooting accuracy compared to Persepolis’ 25%.
Eduardo’s trickery and Al Dawsari’s pace unsettled Persepolis defence. The latter had a chance to nip a winner for Al Hilal five minutes from time after he broke free inside area but was denied by the post.
Cross, Cross and Cross Again
Ivankovic’s attacking approach was clear if unimaginative; if at first you don’t succeed, cross, cross and cross again. Overall Persepolis showered Al Hilal’s penalty box with 30 crosses. Between them, left-back Mohammad Ansari and left-winger Vahid Amiri attempted 14 crosses and while ultimately both Godwin Mensha’s goals for the Iranian side resulted from crosses by the two players, the overall quality of Persepolis’ crossing left a lot to be desired; only six of the team’s 30 crosses found a teammate.
Persepolis had their work cut-out for them with poor finishing. Mensha’s three efforts in target produced two goals for the Ivankovic’s men, but they were the only occasions Persepolis managed a shot at goal the whole evening.
Mensha Exposes Al Hilal Frailties
Godwin Mensha produced a man-of-the-match performance against Al Hilal, finding the back of the net twice despite the Saudis defensive approach. The Nigerian’s pace and mobility proved a handful for ageing Osama Hawsawi and his defensive partners.
Ramon Diaz’s men conceded 2+ goals twice in the group stage, but looked to have shored up at the back since then with three consecutive clean sheets in their last three games prior to Tuesday’s 2-2 draw.
Al Hilal ultimately weathered the avalanche of Persepolis attacks and hit them for two on the counter, but there is work to be done on their defensive set-up ahead of facing Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the final.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com
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