Sweden winger Christian Wilhelmsson put the Riyadh giants in front by netting the opener six minutes before the break.

Ali came off the bench at half time to double Hilal’s lead after just three minutes, courtesy of a fine assist from the on-fire Wilhelmsson.

Brazilian defender Marceo Tavares pulled one back for Shabab on 54 minutes but Gabriel Calderon’s men held on to their lead to claim the vital win.

With four weeks to go, league leaders Hilal reached 52 points, nine ahead of second-placed Ittihad Jeddah.