March 12 – Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal have equalled the world record for consecutive wins after their 3-1 victory over Al Riyadh, their 27th consecutive win in all competitions and equalling the record of 27 consecutive victories during the 2016-17 season by Wales’ The New Saints.
The previous record had been held for 44-years by Dutch giants Ajax, set from 1971 to 1972.
The Saudi league leaders can claim their 28th consecutive win tonight in a Saudi blockbuster versus Al Ittihad – the second leg of their AFC Champions League quarter-final tie. Al Hilal holds a 2-0 lead from the first leg heading into the match.
Al Hilal’s Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus emphasised that winning silverware is more significant than setting records.
“The win record is a secondary plan that has come about. If the record comes about, it is history for the players, the coach and the club,” said Jesus.
“It’s a world record but it’s not a title – titles are the league, the cup and the Asian Champions League. It’s true that the more you win then the closer you are to achieving your objectives, and we welcome that. (Against Al Riyadh) we didn’t show a lot of freshness, but we showed sufficiency to achieve the target of winning the game. We are prepared for Ittihad in the Champions League.”
Jesus rested summer signings Ruben Neves, who arrived from Premier League outfit Wolves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who joined from Serie A side Lazio, against Al Riyadh but all but confirmed that the influential midfield duo will start versus Al Ittihad.
“It’s also important we can recover Salem (Al Dawsari) for the next match. Every game we make three to four changes, and the weekend match was similar. Both Sergej and Reuben have big intensity when they are on the field. Against Al Riyadh they were influential when they came on. Like Malcolm and Salem, we always want to keep them at their highest level of freshness,” said Jesus.
The Saudi League leaders are currently unbeaten since the start of the season, boasting 21 wins and two draws from 23 league games, which have earned them a mammoth 13 point lead at the top.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1714612035labto1714612035ofdlr1714612035owedi1714612035sni@g1714612035niwe.1714612035yrrah1714612035
