Salm Al-Dawsari closes in on Asian Champions League record despite Al Hilal defeat

Salm Al-Dawsari moved closer to the scoring records of the AFC Champions League after opening the scoring for Al Hilal against Al Shamal. Al Hilal were beaten 3-1 by the Qatari side in their Asian Champions League league-stage match at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor on Tuesday.

The Al Hilal captain put his side ahead in the 32nd minute when French full-back Theo Hernandez sent a low pass across the face of goal, allowing Al-Dawsari to finish into an unguarded net. The goal took Al-Dawsari's total in the competition to 36.

According to Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah, that leaves him one goal behind retired South Korea forward Lee Dong-gook, who is second in the all-time scoring list for the competition in its current format. Al-Dawsari is also six goals away from equalling the record of Montenegro forward Dejan Damjanovic, who has scored 42 goals since the tournament adopted its new format in 2003.

Despite Al-Dawsari's early breakthrough, Al Hilal were unable to maintain their advantage and ultimately suffered a 3-1 defeat against Al Shamal. The goal was Al-Dawsari's first of the current season.

It also came in his first start, after he had made two substitute appearances in the Saudi Pro League, playing only a limited number of minutes in both matches.