The second is that, unlike the previous two mammoth winning streaks, it is likely to end without a domestic title. At the moment, the Riyadh club are 11 points behind league leaders Al-Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. There is still a little hope, as Al-Ittihad have played two games more than their challengers and the two teams are still to meet once more.

مودريتش

The problem for Al-Hilal is that the Jeddah giants have been in great form themselves, having dropped just five points from a possible 48 with the one defeat coming at the hands of Al-Hilal in March. That means there is probably too much for Al-Hilal left to do to make up the deficit. It also means that winning the current continental competition is more likely than domestic success this year.

That does not surprise former Al-Hilal goalkeeper Ali Al-Habsi.

The ex-Omani goalkeeper, who had a spell with the Riyadh club in a career that saw him playing in the English Premier League with Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic, said: “Al-Hilal’s games in Asia are easier than the games they have in the league. There is no doubt that they will qualify at the top of the group as there is such a clear difference between the Saudi leagues and the others.”

Al-Habsi may be right as the rest of the pack have yet to impress.

Al-Sadd and Al-Duhail of Qatar have the firepower to cause anyone problems but a look around the other groups does not find that many potential challengers.

The expulsion of Persepolis and Esteghlal for falling foul of the Asian Football Confederation’s licensing requirements have not done much for Iran’s hopes.

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The UAE representatives do not look to be of the classic variety. It may well be that Al-Hilal’s biggest rivals in the western zone – the tournament is divided into two geographic halves until the final – will come from close to home with local rivals Al-Shabab perhaps the second-most impressive performer so far in the group stage, with Al-Faisaly and Al-Taawoun also standing out. It backs up the point that Al-Habsi has been making.

Whatever happens, Al-Hilal are not only the defending continental champions of Asia but are currently the best team in the competition. Add that to a potential record-breaking streak of wins and these are heady days to be following the most successful club in the history of Saudi Arabia as well as Asia.