RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Cristiano Ronaldo’s honesty helped cancel out a penalty and his two-man Al Nassr team settled for a 0-0 draw against Iranian club Persepolis in the Saudi Arabia League on Monday. Asian Champions.
In his first international appearance with the Saudi club Al Ittihad, Argentine coach Marcelo Gallardo celebrated a 2-1 victory against OKMK of Uzbekistan, to advance to the round of 16.
Cristiano collapsed in the area in the early stages of the match and the referee gave a penalty, but the Portuguese star joined the Persepolis players to argue against the decision. Referee Ma Ning checked the video monitor and reversed.
Al Nassr defender Ali Lajimi was sent off at the end of the first half for a reckless challenge on Milad Sarlak. Cristiano gave his Saudi club a scare in the final stretch after suffering a neck injury.
Al-Nassr was previously classified as first in Group E and did so undefeated. The Riyadh club had just won 18 of its previous 19 games in all competitions.
In the same key, the Qatari club Al Duhail achieved its first victory by beating Istiklol of Tajikistan 2-0.
In Group C, “Muñeco” Gallardo celebrated his first victory after taking the reins of Al-Ittihad this month. The Saudi champion won thanks to two goals from Moroccan striker Abderrazak Hamdallah in a span of four minutes in the first half.
“We had to work hard from the start, but we attacked with insistence at all times and Hamdallah responded with two good goals,” said Gallardo.
Al Ittihad leads their group with 12 points, followed by Sepahan FC of Iran (10), Al Quwa Al Jawiya of Iraq (7) and OKMK (0). Gallardo’s team will close the group stage at home against Sepahan on December 4.
2023-11-27 21:48:43
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