Riyadh –
Al Nasser penetrate the semifinals King’s Cup 2023 after defeating Abha by a score of 3-1. Sadly, Cristiano Ronaldo absent to score.
The Saudi King’s Cup quarter-final match was held at the King Saud University Stadium, Riyadh, Tuesday (14/3/2023) evening WIB. Ronaldo started in Rudi Garcia’s 4-2-3-1 formation.
Al Nassr as the host played aggressively by making 17 attempts, four of which were on goal. Abha also had four on target out of a total of 11 attempts.
Al Nassr immediately opened the scoring in the first minute through Sami Al-Najei. Al-Najei received Sultan Al Ghannam’s pass and then turned his keeper round, before firing fiercely at Abha’s goal.
Al Nassr’s advantage increased in the 21st minute through Abdullah Al Khaibari who fired a volley following a cross from the left side.
Winning 2-0 in the first half did not make Al Nassr relax the pressure. Just four minutes into the second half, Al Nassr made his third goal by Mohammed Maran.
Starting with a wild ball in front of goal, Maran quickly leaked the ball to become his team’s third goal. Ronaldo was almost frustrated because he never scored a goal.
Ronaldo even got a yellow card in the first half and his goal drought continued in three consecutive matches. Ronaldo played 89 minutes before being replaced by Talisca.
Al Nassr finally won 3-1 after Abha scored a consolation goal through Abdulfattah Adam, who leaked the rebound ball in front of Nawar Al-Aqidi’s goal.
Al Nasser advance to the semifinals of the 2023 King’s Cup to face AL Wehda April 24.
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