JEDDAH: Despite the best efforts of Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates, Al-Nassr lost 3-2 to Kawasaki Frontale in the semifinal of the AFC Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Wednesday, denying them the chance to take on Al-Ahli in an all-Saudi final on Saturday.
The Japanese side took the lead after just 10 minutes in spectacular fashion after Marcinho gained possession on the left side of the area and scooped a cross into the six-yard box. The ball was headed clear by Mohammed Simakan but only as far as Tatsuya Ito, who volleyed a delicious shot into the top corner of the net.
The goal came against run of play but Al-Nassr kept pushing and probing, and they were rewarded just two minutes before the half-hour mark. Sadio Mane cut in from the left side of the area and the shot from the former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star took a deflection as it bounced into the back of the net.
Al-Nassr continued to attack. Ronaldo headed against the woodwork and then, after 40 minutes, Jhon Duran’s fierce shot flew just wide of the post from a good position.
The Colombian was left to rue the miss when, four minutes before the break, Kawasaki restored their lead. A shot by Ito was saved by Bento but the ball bounced into the path of Yuto Ozeki, who fired home from just inside the area.
Kawasaki did not sit back in the second half and should have extended their lead but Brazilian forward Erison somehow failed to get on the end of a low cross with the goal at his mercy.
In the 76th minute he redeemed himself, however, as he skipped past Aymeric Laporte on the byline and squared the ball to Akihiro Ienaga, who tapped home from the closest of ranges to make it 3-1.
It seemed as if that would be that but with three minutes remaining Al-Nassr pulled a goal back when Ayman Yahya fired a shot into the top corner from outside the area.
Soon after, Duran had a chance to make it 3-3 from close range but failed to make contact at the crucial moment. There was still time after that for a Ronaldo free-kick to be saved by the legs of Louis Yamaguchi before the referee blew for full time.
Kawasaki will now face Al-Ahli in the final on Saturday, again at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
AFC Champions League semifinal heartache for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr
https://arab.news/cs9hj
AFC Champions League semifinal heartache for Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr
- Victory for the Riyadh side would have set up an all-Saudi final against Al-Ahli but they lose 3-2 to Kawasaki Frontale of Japan in Jeddah
- Jhon Duran has chance to make it 3-3 from close range in the closing minutes but fails to make contact
‘Proud’ Saudi fighters Basahel and Albrahim bask in PFL MENA wins
- Duo spoke after victories at the Dhahran Expo in Alkhobar
- In the main event Mohammad Alaqraa defeated Badreddine Diani to become PFL MENA welterweight champion
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia fighters Malik Basahel and Ahmed Albrahim have revealed their delight at winning their showcase bouts at “PFL MENA Finals: All or Nothing” at the Dhahran Expo in Alkhobar.
The night also saw four new PFL MENA champions crowned as this year’s season ended.
“Thank God for everything,” Basahel (3-0) told said after his flyweight showcase win over Mahmoud Atef (5-4, 1 NC) by TKO at 3 minutes, 13 seconds of round one.
“Of course, I’m proud of this performance. On record, my opponent has a stronger record. But glory to God, I got the win. My hard work paid off, and what’s coming will be even better, God willing.
“The MMA scene in the Kingdom, especially in Dhahran, is developing and God willing, we’ll see more and more fighters.”
“For sure, the sport is developing, you can see it,” he added. “There are many fighters coming up, even in the amateur divisions. The national team too, Masha Allah, is truly one of the strongest in the world, not just in the Arab region but worldwide.
“Our young athletes, ages 15 to 18 are incredibly talented. Every year, the level keeps improving. PFL is coming here and Insha Allah there will be more opportunities. Thank God, we have many great things happening and a lot of progress.”
Meanwhile, Albrahim (AM 4-1) defeated Mohamed Nabil (AM 2-1) by TKO at 2:45 of round two in their amateur welterweight showcase bout.
“The Eastern Province has always been known for sports in general,” the Saudi fighter said.
“Many athletes have come from there across various fields; football, bodybuilding, and many other sports. The Eastern Province has always been a treasure when it comes to sporting talent.”
“The technique and the talent have been there for a long time, but the media never really highlighted it properly,” Abraham added.
“But as you can see now, the media has started to shed more light on it, and fighters are beginning to emerge. And honestly, there are many people better than me, many talents.
“But once the media shines a light, people finally see it. The Eastern Province is full of fighters, full of gifted athletes, and you will see more coming very soon, God willing.”
Abraham dedicated his win to his parents and brothers. “They have always encouraged me,” he said.
“My father was the first to say, ‘people will wonder how he will come back,’ but that actually motivated me. They kept supporting me while I was training.
“I hope they can see this video, and I dedicate this victory to them. I didn’t make this decision to join PFL until I was fully ready. I entered this fight with a professional mindset. We are ready — Saudi always shows up ready.”
In the main event, Kuwait’s Mohammad Alaqraa (10-1) edged out Morocco’s Badreddine “Dreamchaser” Diani (10-4) by unanimous decision after five hard-fought rounds to win the PFL MENA welterweight championship.
In the co-main event, Morocco’s Salah Eddine “Supersalah” Hamli (11-0) kept his undefeated record intact as he submitted Iraq’s Mohammad “Soulkeeper” Fahmi (6-1) in the second round to become the new PFL MENA lightweight champion.
Also, Islam “The Egyptian Zombie” Reda (15-1) scored a second-round submission victory over Algeria’s Yanis “The Desert Warrior” Ghemmouri (13-4) to become the PFL MENA featherweight champion.
In addition, Jordan’s Nawras “Honey Badger” Abzakh (15-6, 1 NC) needed just 36 seconds to submit Islam “Moksha” Youssef (7-3) of Egypt and capture the PFL MENA bantamweight championship.
