Jeddah-based Al-Ahli football club qualified Saturday for the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), beating its Emirates' rival Shabab Al-Ahli, in Doha, securing the ticket to move forward, on shootout. The match ended in a 1-1 tie, and the stalemate was broken by Al-Ahli by striking true from the spot, winning 4-3. During the match, the Emirates' team took the lead by scoring in the 28th minute, but Al-Ahli's leading scorer Omar Al-Souma, the Syrian international, brought back Al-Ahli into the match, scoring in 54th minute, from the penalty spot. Ironically, Al-Souma failed to score, during the shootout, as his last and 5th kick hit the woodwork of the bar. Al-Ahli topped the group, ranking first and grabbing 6-points. Lots drawing is set to take place on Monday, for the quarterfinals of the AFC Championships 2020. AFC dismisses Al-Hilal's appeal over withdrawal The AFC on Saturday dismissed a protest lodged by the Riyadh-basedAl-Hilal club, the champions, against their withdrawal from the Asian Champions League, because they were able to name only 11 players for their final Group B fixture, Reuters reported. The Saudi club, who had already qualified for the last 16, said they had been determined to defend their title despite 30 players and staff becoming infected with COVID-19 in the Qatari hub, where Asia's premier club competition resumed last week. But AFC rules state teams must name a minimum of 13 players in their matchday squads and Wednesday's game did not go ahead. The AFC ruled that Al-Hilal were "deemed to have withdrawn from the competition". Al-Hilal's departure meant Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai progressed to the knockout stage from Group B along with Uzbeki club Pakhtakor. — SPA
