Sports · Football · 2 hrs ago
Watkins scores twice as Al-Hilal beat Shabab Al-Ahli 2-0
Al-Hilal beat UAE side Shabab Al-Ahli 2-0 in Riyadh in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Forward Watkins scored both goals, one in each half, with defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Yusuf Akcicek setting them up.
The win ended Shabab Al-Ahli’s run of three straight victories and lifted Al-Hilal to second place on nine points, ahead on goal difference.
The match had been in doubt after Shabab Al-Ahli did not respond to contact about its travel plans, amid regional concerns and air travel disruptions.
The Emirati team arrived in Riyadh on Monday and played the match as scheduled.
The uncertainty followed the AFC’s postponement of another match after Emirati club Al-Wasl said it could not reach Riyadh in time.
Matchday 5 starts on November 23 after the mid-November international break.
Shabab Al-Ahli arrived in Riyadh and played Al-Hilal after reports that it had not answered calls from the Saudi club and football authorities.
Al-Hilal won 2-0 on Tuesday, with both goals scored by Watkins.
The Asian Football Confederation contacted its Emirati counterpart to ask about Shabab Al-Ahli’s silence before the match.
Reports said the club could face sanctions if it withdrew, including a fine and a ban from AFC competitions.
Al-Hilal moved into second place in the league stage on nine points, ahead of other teams on goal difference.
- Who
- Al-Hilal and Shabab Al-Ahli, with the AFC involved.
- What
- The AFC sought an explanation after reports that Shabab Al-Ahli had not answered calls about its arrival in Riyadh; the teams went on to play, and Al-Hilal won 2-0.
- When
- The match was played on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. The AFC contacted the UAE federation about 48 hours before the match.
- Where
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- The AFC sought to learn why Shabab Al-Ahli had not responded to communications about arrangements for the match. Regional developments and air travel disruptions had raised uncertainty about the club’s participation.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Okaz reported that Shabab Al-Ahli had not answered Al-Hilal’s calls and that the AFC had contacted the UAE federation about the silence.
Shabab Al-Ahli arrived in Riyadh and posted that it had come as promised.
Al-Hilal beat Shabab Al-Ahli 2-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite league stage.
- Final score
- Al-Hilal 2-0 Shabab Al-Ahli
- Goals
- Watkins scored twice
- Match date
- Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
- Al-Hilal points
- 9 points; second place on goal difference
- Reported minimum fine
- $50,000 if a withdrawal occurred during the league stage
5 sources
Watkins double ends Shabab Al-Ahli’s undefeated continental streak
بث مباشر لمباراة الهلال ضد شباب الأهلي في دوري أبطال آسيا للنخبة
The Asian Football Confederation threatens sanctions against Shabab Al-Ahli due to their match against Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia
الآسيوي يتوعد «شباب الأهلي» بالشطب والحرمان ... هل يهرب من مواجهة الهلال؟
What people are saying
We’ve arrived in Riyadh, just as we promised you.
Oh Riyadh of pride, we have come to you, full of longing for you and your people.