Cristiano Ronaldo guided 10-man Al-Nassr to their first-ever Arab Club Champions Cup title after scoring twice in a 2-1 extra-time win over fellow Saudi aspect Al-Hilal.
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Cristiano Ronaldo guided 10-man Al-Nassr to their first-ever Arab Club Champions Cup title after scoring twice in a 2-1 extra-time win over fellow Saudi aspect Al-Hilal on Saturday.
Ronaldo didn’t land a trophy final season after his transfer to Al-Nassr, who completed runners-up within the Saudi Pro League, however the 38-year-old scored six occasions within the event to complete as its high scorer en path to the title.
The event is performed by high Arab golf equipment within the area and included groups from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria.
The star-studded Al-Nassr aspect had many probabilities to attain within the first half with shut season signings Sadio Mane, Seko Fofana and Marcelo Brozovic all denied by goalkeeper Mohammed Alowais.
The recreation at King Fahd Sports City stadium remained scoreless till six minutes into the second half when Al-Hilal’s Malcom crossed the ball and located fellow Brazilian Michael, who put his aspect forward with a free header.
To rub salt into their wounds, the 27-year-old even produced the Ronaldo aim celebration as he ran to the nook flag and leapt into the air.
That appeared to fireside up Ronaldo and the Portugal captain equalised within the 74th minute when he acquired on the top of a low cross from proper again Sultan Al-Ghannam to attain for a fifth recreation in a row.
Al-Nassr defender Abdulelah Al-Amri was despatched off within the second half earlier than Nawaf Boushal was given his marching orders whereas on the bench for arguing with an official, however they held on to take the sport to further time.
Ronaldo then doubled the lead within the first half of additional time when he pounced on a rebound off the crossbar and headed residence with the goalkeeper off his line.
There had been considerations, nevertheless, when Ronaldo was carted off the sector with an obvious damage after a collision within the second interval of additional time — simply two days earlier than their Saudi Pro League opener towards Al-Ettifaq.
Source web site: www.thehindu.com
