It is getting very tight in the Saudi League, and as the matches are progressing, Al-Ahli Saudi and Al-Qadsiyah are making life difficult for Al-Nassr in particular. A win was a must for the Knights of Najd. A loss would have pulled them down to 5th on the table. There were nerves aplenty when Al-Taawoun visited the Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh to take on the jittery hosts last night.
Simikan scored with a perfectly timed header from Cristiano Ronaldo’s terrific free-kick assist. But Simikan was ruled offside by a VAR intervention, and the goal was disallowed. The yellow brigade made repeated attempts to score in well coordinated purpose driven moves, but Al-Taawoun’s Brazilian goalkeeper Maylson stood firm, defended exceptionally well and denied success to Al-Nassr.
It was upto the AFCON winner and Senegalese hero Sadio Mané, to break the deadlock. His superb right-footed curler from the left flank clipped the head of Al-Dossari, deflecting the ball ever so slightly, to help it enter the net. Al-Nassr were ahead at the stroke of halftime. The goal was given as an own goal, but Sadio Mané’s effort was incredible too.
The Knights defended the one-goal advantage in the second half, denying Al-Taawoun, to record a very important victory in the context of the Title race, which Al-Nassr are desperate to win.
With Al-Hilal drawing their game against Al-Riyadh, the lead at the top has been reduced to 5 points. No wonder the contest is heating up, and if Al-Nassr are to win the RSL, they need to stitch together a series of wins.
Al-Nassr take on Al-Kholood on Friday in Buraydah.
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