Al Hilal's run of 34 straight wins came to an end in Dubai on Wednesday April 17. The Saudi club lost 4-2 to Al Ain in the first leg of the Asian Champions League semi-final. Moroccan Soufiane Rahimi was the main tormentor for Kalidou Koulibaly and his team-mates. Already top scorer in the competition before kick-off with 8 goals, Rahimi added 3 more to his tally. Three goals including two penalties in the first half.
Moroccan goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was not in the Al Hilal goal. Al Ain's Togolese striker Kodja Laba was also absent from the score sheet. The return leg is scheduled for April 23 in Saudi Arabia. Al Hilal had not lost a match since August 12, 2023, in the Arab Cup final against Al-Nassr (1-2 a.p).
