RIYADH/DUBAI — Ailton scored the only goal of the game as Al Hilal maintained their push for a place in the knockout phase of the 2016 AFC Champions League on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates.
The Brazilian headed home the winner nine minutes before the end of the first half to move the Saudi side on to eight points from four games, one point behind Group C leaders Tractorsazi.
Al Jazira, meanwhile, have been eliminated from the competition, sitting at the bottom of the group having picked up a solitary point and are three points adrift of third-placed Pakhtakor from Uzbekistan.
Meanwhile, Al Ittihad’s hopes of qualifying for the knockout phase of the 2016 AFC Champions League suffered another blow on Wednesday as the two-time champions’ winless streak continued with a 0-0 draw against Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates.
Al Ittihad champions in 2004 and 2005, have yet to notch up a win in this year’s campaign and picked up just their third point in four games to share last place in Group A with Iran’s Sepahan.
Gelmin Rivas’ miss 20 minutes from time, when the Brazilian had a clear sight of goal, could prove costly as Victor Piturca’s side now only have two games to salvage their campaign as they lie five points behind leaders Lokomotiv from Uzbekistan.
The draw enhanced Al Nasr’s hopes of reaching the Round of 16 for the first time in their history as they moved on to seven points.
