Al-Hilal ready for tough title decider in Saudi Pro League

  • 4/13/2018
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Riyadh: Al-Hilal coach Juan Brown is expecting Al-Fateh to provide an even sterner test than title rivals Al-Ahli did last week when the league title is decided today. Al-Hilal lead Al-Ahli by a point with just one game left and are favorites to win the Saudi Professional League. But Al-Ahli have the easier of the two games (at home to bottom club Ohod), so Al-Hilal know they probably need to beat fourth-place Al-Fateh to clinch a second successive crown and their 15th in total. “The players are aware of the importance of this game and its difficulty,” said Brown. “We will go into the match to win. It will be the toughest game of the season, including the last league meeting with Al-Ahli. There are several reasons for this, the most important of which is that it’s the league title game decider, which will be followed by elation or sadness. “Al-Fateh are in fourth place in the league and it will be a difficult tactical battle. They’ve not been defeated in their past six games — they are a strong side. “I said to the players directly after the end of the meeting with Al- Ahli: “We have not won the title, and the Al-Fateh game is the most important and difficult, and we must fight and focus on achieving the title by winning the next game.’ “We will enter the match in full focus from the first minute until the referee whistles for the end.” Al-Hilal’s Oman goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi was excellent in the goalless draw with Al-Ahli on Saturday to ensure Al-Hilal remain in pole position this weekend. “Our goal is clear: To look for victory to achieve the title,” Al-Habsi said. “There is no doubt that the match will differ from any other. It is a deciding match and there will be no compensation (if we lose). “Our focus is high, and everyone is ready,” he said. Mohammed Al-Shalhoub, the Al-Hilal captain, said the team are not concerned about what Al-Ahli do at home to Ohod. “They know their fate is in their own hands and they will be going all out for the three points. Everyone at the club considers it to be the most important game of the season,” he said. “We will not look at the game of Al-Ahli with Ohod. We will go into the match looking for the win only.”

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