Quite nervous at times, Neymar had a lackluster performance the first time he started for Al Hilal. The Brazilian received a yellow card and saw the Saudi team draw 1-1 in the end with Navbahor, from Uzbekistan, in a duel held at the King Fahd International Stadium, in Riyadh. The game, valid for the first round of the group stage of the Asian Champions League, broadcast on ESPN on Star+this Monday (18).
In addition to the Brazilian’s furious attack on a rival, pushing and kicking the ball at the opponent, the match was marked by a long game time. The referee gave an incredible 15 minutes of extra time in the second half! The goals were scored by Navbahor’s Tabatdze and Al Bulayhi for Al Hilal after a cross from Michael.
Even so, Al HIlal ended up in a draw. With the result, the Brazilian star’s team shares second place in group D with Navbahor, with one point. In the same group, Nassaji Mazandaran, from Iran, beat Mumbai City, from India, 2-0. The first placed teams advance to the knockout stages, and the six best second teams.
This was the second game for number 10, who debuted for Al Hilal in the 6-1 victory over Al Riyadh in the Saudi Championship. He came on in the second half and directly participated in four goals last Friday.
In addition to the Brazilian star, coach Jorge Jesus named strikers Michael (formerlyFlamengo) and Malcom (ex-Corinthians). He cannot use all of his signings at the same time because of Champions League regulations, which allow only five foreigners, in addition to an Asian from another country, in matches.
The Saudi team’s next match in the tournament will be away from home against Nassaji Mazandaran, from Iran, on October 3, with broadcast by ESPN on Star+.
How was the game?
Under the intense heat in Saudi Arabia, the home team looked to attack from the start and had 76% possession of the ball, but found it extremely difficult to break through Navbahor’s defense.
Hilal’s punishment came six minutes into the second half. Tabatdze received a pass on the right side of the attack, invaded the area and released a bomb into the goalkeeper’s corner, which he did not save.
Irritated in the final stage, Neymar tried many moves, but was unable to be effective. He also received a yellow card for pushing and kicking the ball at a rival player who was trying to block a free kick.
The judge gave an incredible 15 minutes of extra time! The Navbahor goalkeeper saved the Saudi team’s equalizer with a beautiful save from a shot by Serbian Mitrovic, in the 52nd minute.
With so much hammering, the home team tied at 55. After Michael’s cross, defender Al Bulayhi appeared in the area and headed the ball into the goalkeeper’s right corner.
Best moments
Asian Champions League group D standings
-
Nassaji Mazandara: 1st place, with 3 points
-
Al Hilal: 2nd place, with 1 point
-
Navbahor: 2nd place, with 1 point
-
Mumbai City: 4th place, with 0 points
Al Hilal’s next games:
-
Damak (F): 21/09, 12pm (Brasília time) – Saudi Championship
-
Al Jabalain (F): 25/09, 12pm (Brasília time) – Copa del Rey
-
Al Shabab (C): 29/09, 3pm (Brasília time) – Saudi Championship
The post first appeared on www.espn.com.br