Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia bid an early farewell to the AFC Champions League for the Elite, after losing to Al-Sadd of Qatar on penalties with a score of (4-2).
The match ended in a 3-3 draw after the end of regular and extra time in the round of 16 in the tournament.
The shock of the exit shocked Al Hilal fans, who expressed their extreme anger and dissatisfaction on social media with the team’s performance and the result that knocked them out of the round of 16 against Al Sadd.
Social media turned into an arena for sharp criticism from Al-Zaeem fans, who expressed their shock at the early exit, especially with the high hopes that were pinned on the team to compete for the Asian title.
Journalist Issa Al-Joukam criticized team player Karim Benzema, saying: “Inzaghi, a 36-year-old player, is returning from an injury. Can he play a full match and two extra halves? Benzema, a player who spent all of the extra halves out of service.”
Journalist Khaled Al-Sheneef held coach Simone Inzaghi responsible for the result of the match, saying: “The ugliest technical performance of Al-Hilal came with Inzaghi. Al-Hilal is seen by a weak team on the field, and the technical condition of the team is lost. Asia bye-bye, and it is possible that the league and the King’s Cup will catch up with it. A tiring exit for Saudi football.”
Journalist Khaled Al-Badr commented, saying: “Al-Hilal missed out on the Elite Dream Championship, and despite all this spending, it left in the first match in the knockout rounds.”
He added: “I am sad for the Blue Team, which has 15 foreign players in its ranks and is led by the most expensive coach in the Middle East. I will miss Nunez, whose season ended this evening. I sympathize with Karim Benzema and Simon after the Al-Sadd match.”
Hamad Al-Suwaihi wrote: “A bitter exit, and a new disappointment. I will tell you Al Hilal fans, the only ones who deserve to be told this word. The technical staff, players, and management are bearing this result.”
He continued: “With Inzaghi and his convictions, Al Hilal will lose the path of championships to which it is accustomed.”
Fares Al-Fazzi said: “He speaks with the confidence of the stars, and gives you the impression that everything is under control, but at the moment of decision, the small details reveal everything. Karim Benzema chose to take the lead with the statements.”
He concluded his speech by saying: “In the end, he topped the scene with an unforgettable shot.”
