The Desert El Clasico : Al Ittihad vs Al Nassr
The Desert El Clasico it was in the Saudi Pro League, between leaders Al-Ittihad and the not so far behind Al-Nassr. A victory crucial for both teams. A riveting contest was on the cards at the picturesque Al Awwal Park in Riyadh, home to Al Nassr.
Sadio Mane : Brilliant At the Start
Sadio Mane, the gifted Senegalese and former Salah mate at Liverpool, was in dazzling form. It was the best I have seen him play in recent times. Mane scored with a lovely left footer in only the 3rd minute. Al Ittihad had hardly settled when they were rattled by the Mane beauty. Al Nassr had drawn first blood.
Ayman Yahya Makes It Double For Al Nassr
In the 37th minute Sadio Mane set up Ayman Yahya with a fine assist. The young Saudi was perfect with his finishing and Al Nassr had taken a comfortable 2-0 lead at the break. The match was till that time headed only one way. Al Nassr were dominating and Al Ittihad were at the receiving end. But a change was lurking and it swiftly happened.
Al Ittihad Return With Great Intent
The second half began with Al Ittihad showing much more intent. Their title stakes were on the line. Laurent Blanc ( one of the finest French players), Al Ittihad’s Manager, had sent his team back on the field with a rasping pep talk. No wonder the players were looking different.
Benzema & Kante Strike Back For Al Ittihad : Draw Level
Karim Benzema scored with a precise header in the 49th minute to get one back for Al Ittihad. 3 minutes later, his French compatriot N’Golo Kanté equalised with a sublime finish. The match had been brought to an even keel early in the second half. A listless start from Al Nassr had cost them dear. The visitors were on the rise, and Al Nassr had taken a step back.
A Frenzy Ensues But Al Ittihad Have The Edge
The match turned into a frenzy of attacks and counter attacks with both goal keepers making valuable saves, but Mane missed an absolute sitter and Ronaldo too was denied. It was not going Al Nassr’s way and their jittery defence once again crumbled when it had to be stoic.
Aouar Deals A Body Blow In The End. Al Ittihad Win
Houssem Aouar, the French born Algerian International, produced the knock-out punch, 4 minutes into stoppage time. His strike from close range was stopped by Bento, but the rebound came in Aouar’s path again which he gleefully placed into the net. Aouar had dealt a body blow to Al Nassr. There was no time to make a comeback, and the match ended in a 3-2 victory for the Jeddah Club after being 2 goals down at the break. A sensational recovery indeed.
Al Nassr Drift Further Away From The Title, While Al Ittihad Close In
The win has further strengthened Al Ittihad’s title chances and they in all probability are the front runners and more likely to wear the crown. Al Nassr have fallen to 4th position, a good 11 points adrift from the leaders. The Title looks far beyond their reach now.
A tremendous match and a great result for Al Ittihad, who never gave up and kept striving till the end.
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