Just a day to go for the final of the Saudi Super Cup to be played at the Hong Kong Stadium. Al-Nassr would be locking horns with Al-Ahli Saudi for the title and the first silverware of the new season.
Al-Nassr got past Saudi Pro League Champions Al-Ittihad with a hard-fought 2-1 victory. Sadio Mane scored early in the first half but then got a red card for dangerous play. With 10 men for 65 minutes of the match, Al-Nassr kept Al-Ittihad at bay. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been in fine form in the pre-season matches, set up debutant Joao Felix for an easy tap-in to give Al-Nassr the all-important goal. Ronaldo could have scored himself, but let his young Portuguese compatriot get on the scoresheet.
Since Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr two seasons ago, the Riyadh-based Club has yet to win a trophy, and therefore the Final on the 23rd of August would be an extremely important one for the Al-Alami.
Al-Ahli Saudis on the other hand, are in red-hot form after decimating Al Qadsiyah 5-1 in the other semi-final. Buoyed by a brilliant brace from Al-Ahli’s Ivory Coast International Franck Kessié and a goal each by Ivan Toney and Enzo Millot, Al-Ahli Saudi had taken a 4-1 lead after conceding a goal early.
Gaston Alvarez had scored in the 8th minute for Al-Qadsiyah in a promising start for the club from Al Khobar, but then Al Ahli turned on the screws and replied with 4 goals in the first half. Unfortunately, Al-Qadsiyah’s Bonsu Baah was sent off in the 42nd minute, leaving his team with 10 men for the rest of the match.
Al Ahli got the benefit of an own goal by Nacho in the 61st minute and were runaway 5-1 winners. Mateo Retegui, the big signing for Al-Qadsiyah, had a forgetful debut.
Al-Nassr, therefore, will have their hands full, and considering their performance in knockout games earlier this year, the Final is not going to be easy for the Ronaldo-led side. Al-Ahli Saudi would be brimming with confidence.
A big test is coming up for Al-Nassr’s new coach, Jorge Jesus, too.
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