Al-Hilal scored a comfortable 2-0 win over Al-Ittifaq to gain three crucial points and close in on leaders Al-Ittihad in round nine of Saudi Professional League.

The match was played at the Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd Stadium in Dammam yesterday.

The winners dominated right throughout the 90-minute encounter, which also witnessed the return of their Libyan star Tareq Al-Tayeb after a long layoff.

Hilal were gifted the first goal in the 19th minute by Ittifaq goalkeeper who failed to make a clearance inside the penalty area. Hilal�s Muhammad Al-Anbar took full advantage and slammed it into the goal even though the keeper made a valiant bid to block it.

Swedish player Christian Wilhelmsson made the issue safe for Hilal when he converted from the penalty spot in the 78th minute.

Ittifaq tried to make a fight of it but failed to break the rival defense.

With this win, Hilal increased their points tally to 20 and thus narrowed the gap with their arch rivals and leaders Ittihad by four points.

Ittifaq stay in the fifth spot with 12 points.

Naif Muhammad | Arab News