Al Hilal are the most successful football club in Asia and Saudi Arabia. They are also the current AFC Champions League holders and in Leonardo Jardim, possess a coach that has previously been considered by several European heavyweights.
So despite going into their Club World Cup semi-final against Chelsea as underdogs, there was no inferiority complex. Al Hilal would play to win, not simply to try to keep the score down.
That became clear inside the opening five minutes of the contest. The Saudi Arabian side pushed their defensive line high up the pitch and pressed the Blues' centre-backs. The approach momentarily unnerved the European champions, but Chelsea soon managed to compose themselves and take charge of possession.
