Joao Cancelo of Al Hilal Set to Miss Asian Champions League Semi-Final Against Al Ahli

Al Hilal’s coach, Jorge Jesus, has confirmed that Joao Cancelo will miss the remainder of the Asian Champions League Elite campaign due to a hamstring injury, just ahead of their all-Saudi Pro League semi-final clash against Al Ahli in Jeddah on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old defender, who previously played for Manchester City and Barcelona, limped off the pitch after just 42 minutes during Al Hilal’s 7-0 demolition of South Korea’s Gwangju on Friday. Jesus has since stated that Cancelo will play no further role in the tournament.

“The only downside of an otherwise fantastic night was Joao Cancelo’s injury,” Jesus remarked. “He is a crucial player for us, especially in terms of his attacking prowess.”

“He’ll be sidelined for four to six weeks, which effectively means his season is nearly over. Nonetheless, he should be fit for our appearance in the Club World Cup.”

Al Hilal aims to add to their impressive tally with a fifth Asian title, but they face a tough test against an Al Ahli outfit that remains undefeated in the competition.

The two teams have clashed three times this season in local fixtures, with Al Ahli emerging victorious in their latest encounter in the Saudi Pro League, courtesy of a hat-trick from England forward Ivan Toney.

This win marked the first for coach Matthias Jaissle against Al Hilal in five attempts, and the German tactician is optimistic about his team’s chances of replicating that performance.

“Knowing we can beat Al Hilal definitely boosts our confidence,” Jaissle noted. “We’ve faced them numerous times and acknowledge the immense talent within their squad, but we are well-prepared. We know exactly what to expect tomorrow, and there shouldn’t be any surprises on the field. It will all come down to the finer details.”

The semi-final is set to take place at Al Ahli’s King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, where Jaissle hopes the backing of the home crowd will play a pivotal role in influencing the game’s result.

“The outcomes of our matches since this competition began clearly indicate that it suits us,” he stated. “However, we haven’t achieved anything yet.”

“Everything needs to align, with details mattering across all aspects of the game. Sometimes, a touch of luck and the extra motivation from the fans make all the difference.”