Unstoppable Hilal Keeps the Crest High as AFC Elite West Heats Up

Standings and key fixtures

Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia is chasing a flawless run and the West Group lead as they host Iraqi side Al Shorta on Tuesday in the fifth round of the West zone of the Elite AFC Champions League. UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli Dubai and Al Wahda UAE also seek a return to winning ways, with Shabab Al Ahli welcoming Al Gharafa of Qatar and Al Wahda visiting Al-Ahli Saudi on Monday.

Hilal sits atop the group with 12 points, the only side with a perfect record, two points ahead of Al Ahli (the reigning champions) and Al Wahda, both of whom look to keep pace as they chase crucial results in the current round.

In the standings, Al Sadd has two points, Al Shorta one, Nasaf Nasaf Uzbekistan remains without a point, while Duhail of Qatar secured their first continental win in the latest round. Al Gharafa’s challenge remains tough after their setback the previous round.

In the latest action, Duhail defeated Shabab Al Ahli 4-1, handing the Emirati side their first defeat of the campaign.

Al Ahli Saudi extended their continental unbeaten run to 22 matches with a 2-1 win over Al Sadd, maintaining their ascent in the group standings.

Al Wahda’s coach Abdul Majid Al Nimr stressed that the team’s focus remains on Asia and that there is still a realistic chance to reach the knockout stage after recent league results that left them in mid-table form. He noted that the squad would continue to push in the group, aiming for qualification with several rounds to play.

Al Sharjah, the defending AFC Champions League winner, face a stern test as they try to rebound from league losses and restore confidence under their new national coach Abdul Majid Al Nimr, who replaced Milos Milosevic mid-season. The coach admitted that Sharjah’s priority has shifted to Asia, believing their league form will eventually align with continental ambitions.

Shabab Al Ahli, sitting fifth with seven points, return to home soil to meet a fellow Gulf side, while Al Gharafa sit in ninth after a single victory this campaign. Injuries also punctuated the round, with Yacine Brahimi’s injury ruling him out for two weeks for Al Gharafa.

Al Wahda’s path remains a test of consistency as they host Al-Ahli Saudi, hoping to maintain momentum and seize the opportunity to climb toward the top of the standings. The group stage features eight matches per team, with the Round of 16 set for March 2026 and the quarters, semis, and final to be staged in Saudi Arabia in April 2026, underscoring a packed European-style crescendo in West Asia’s showpiece event.

The West Group race remains open and fiercely contested, with several clubs balancing domestic duties and continental ambitions.

Punchline 1: If a sniper had perfect aim at match schedules, every round would be a 90-minute headshot—minus the blood, plus the glory.

Punchline 2: In this group, the only thing sharper than a fast break is our spreadsheet of standings—and yes, it’s already filing for a vacation in March.