Riyadh, Oct 24 (IANS): Aleksander Mitrovic scored a hat-trick as Al Hilal secured three points in style with a 6-0 win over Mumbai City FC in Group D match of the AFC Champions League 2023/24, here at the King Fahd International Stadium.
Two Serbian players contributed four of the six goals - Aleksander Mitrovic and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - although the creation was equally split between Mohamed Al Burayk and Saud Abdulhamid for the first four goals, ensuring a superb shift for the two-time AFC Champions League winners on Monday, AFC reports.
The Riyadh-based side looked to have doubled the score when Salem Al Dawsari dribbled past the defense, made a turn at the byline, and scored, surprising the defenders. However, VAR overturned the goal as the ball had already gone out of play.
Against the run of play, Mumbai City managed an opening where Lalengmawia Ralte broke through the defence, dribbled past Ali Al Bulayhi and thrust a shot goalwards from inside the area, only for the well-positioned Mohamed Al Owais to punch it away.
Just before half-time, Mitrovic spotted the Mumbai City keeper off his line and attempted an audacious strike from 60 yards out, but his effort was quickly tracked and Phurba Lechenpa caught the ball comfortably.
In the second half, Al Hilal had multiple opportunities, but Mitrovic, Kanno, Malcolm, and Al Dawsari all missed chances until the one-hour mark. On the other hand, the Indian team had a great opportunity to equalize when Rostyn Griffiths narrowly missed a header from Greg Stewart's free-kick.
In the 67th minute, the Islanders eventually succumbed to the pressure as Al Burayk and Mitrovic combined once more, with Mitrovic heading home another cross from the left flank by Al Burayk.
Just eight minutes later, Savic ensured he had a scoring AFC Champions League debut when he rose highest to meet Saud Abdulhamid’s cross from the right flank.
At the 80-minute mark, Mitrovic completed his hat-trick in style. Abdulhamid found him unmarked in the area, and he executed an incredible overhead kick, making it 4-0.
Two minutes later, Mitrovic assisted Al Burayk, who had provided him with two assists earlier, and Al Burayk confidently scored Al-Hilal's fifth goal of the night inside the area.
Abdulelah Al Malki rounded off the night with a beautiful strike from outside the area, a lathered shot that smashed against the post and into the goal to match the exquisite showing Al Hilal put on in the second half.
Mumbai City FC will play hosts to Al Hilal in two weeks at the DY Patil Stadium, with a win vital to the Indian side’s already slim chances of progressing to the knockout rounds.