Six-time African Player of the Year Asisat Oshoala delivered a standout performance, scoring a hat-trick as Al Hilal Women defeated Al Qadsiah Women 5–1 on Thursday to reach the Saudi Women’s Cup final with a 7–2 aggregate victory, www.aclsports.com reports.
The Nigerian forward scored twice in the first half and added a third after the break, while also winning a late penalty in a dominant individual display. She has now registered 23 goals and six assists in all competitions this season, and has scored in four consecutive matches while recording at least one goal contribution in each of her last six games, continuing an impressive debut campaign in Saudi Arabia.
Al Hilal, who carried a 2–1 advantage into the second leg, were dominant away from home, with Oshoala once again central to their attacking play. She opened the scoring in the 36th minute with a superb right-footed strike from outside the box after being set up by Kheira Hamraoui.
Just two minutes later, Jéssica Silva doubled the lead, finishing clinically after racing onto a through ball from Al Bandari Mobarak on a swift counter-attack. Cameroonian forward Ajara Nchout pulled one back for Al Qadsiah in the 42nd minute, but Oshoala restored Al Hilal’s two-goal cushion moments later, finishing another quick break to make it 3–1 before half-time.
She completed her hat-trick in the 73rd minute, calmly slotting home from the left side of the box after being picked out again by Al Bandari Mobarak. Oshoala was involved once more late on, winning a penalty in the 89th minute after being fouled inside the area, with Ghizlane Chebbak converting from the spot in stoppage time to seal the 5–1 win.
Al Hilal will now face either Al Ula Women or Al Nassr Women in the final as they continue their push for silverware, having previously finished runners-up in the Saudi Women’s Premier Challenge Cup earlier this season, a run in which Oshoala scored back-to-back hat-tricks on their way to the final.
