AFCCL: Coach Jorge Jesus believes Koulibaly’s dismissal cost Al Hilal SFC

Koulibaly (left): Photo Credit:

Saudi Arabian Football Federation X.

Al Hilal SFC coach Jorge Jesus has attributed Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly’s dismissal as having contributed to Tuesday’s 3-1 loss to Al Ahli Saudi FC. The Portuguese mentor said this in a post-match reaction after the AFC Champions League Elite semifinal loss to the fellow Saudi Pro League side.

Reflecting on Al Hilal SFC’s back-to-back semi final exit at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Jesus admitted that his side was not good enough, even more so after the red-carding of the former Chelsea defender Koulibaly.

“When I came into this match, I wanted to be a winner in this semi-final. For my team and myself, it would have been interesting to reach the final,” he told AFC media.

“But Al Ahli were better and superior. In the first half, they found the best use of space and scored the goals through those moments. That affected the mentality of our team, then Koulibaly’s sending off affected the spirit of our team.”

The game saw both sides featuring well-known African stars such as Riyad Mahrez and Franck Kessié for Al Ahli Saudi FC.

However, when it came to scoring, it was former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino who did the business with the opening goal before Algerian Mahrez provided an assist for English striker Ivan Toney to double the lead for Ahli Saudi FC.

The reigning Saudi Pro League champions pulled a goal back shortly before halftime through Salem Al Dawsari but could not mount a strong comeback even more after Koulibaly picked up a second yellow card following a strong tackle on Ahli defender Roger Ibañez. Substitute Firas Al Buraikan added the third goal for Al Ahli Saudi FC to confirm the defeat for Jesus’ side.