
Al Nassr hold Persepolis to goalless draw, leaving Iranian side's knockout hopes in doubt
Persepolis struggled to create further clear-cut chances, leaving their progression in the tournament uncertain as they now await results from their West Zone rivals.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Leaders
6 hours ago
- Leaders
Al-Ahli Demolish Al-Qadsiah to Book Saudi Super Cup Final Showdown with Al-Nassr
Jeddah giants Al-Ahli delivered a commanding 5-1 victory over 10-man Al-Qadsiah in the Saudi Super Cup semi-final at Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday, securing a thrilling final matchup against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr. Despite an early setback, Al-Ahli showcased their attacking prowess and capitalized on their opponents' mistakes to dominate the match. Initially, Al-Qadsiah stunned Al-Ahli with an eighth-minute goal from Gaston Alvarez, who headed in a low cross from Mohammed Al Thani. However, their lead evaporated four minutes later as Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessie, later named man of the match, equalized after a defensive lapse during a throw-in, calmly slotting the ball into the net from close range. Turning Point: Red Card Shifts Momentum The match dynamics shifted dramatically in the 42nd minute when Al-Qadsiah's Ghanaian winger Christopher Bonsu Baah received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Roger Ibanez. As a result, Al-Ahli seized control. Just before halftime, Kessie scored his second goal, heading in a precise cross from Riyad Mahrez, further solidifying their dominance with a 2-1 lead. Earlier, in the 26th minute, a VAR review awarded Al-Ahli a penalty for a handball by Nahitan Nandez. Consequently, Ivan Toney confidently converted the spot-kick in the 28th minute, giving Al-Ahli a 3-1 lead. Three minutes later, French winger Enzo Millot added a third, heading in another pinpoint Mahrez cross, showcasing Al-Ahli's relentless attacking rhythm. Second Half Seals Al-Qadsiah's Fate After the break, Al-Ahli continued their onslaught. In the 61st minute, Al-Qadsiah captain Nacho Fernandez inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting a clearance, gifting Al-Ahli a fifth goal. Although Ivan Toney thought he had scored again late in the game, officials disallowed the strike for offside. Meanwhile, Al-Qadsiah struggled to regain their footing after their early promise. Their Italian striker Mateo Retegui failed to make an impact and exited with just over 10 minutes remaining. Ultimately, Al-Qadsiah's reduced numbers and defensive errors left them unable to counter Al-Ahli's attacking flair. With this emphatic win, Al-Ahli, who have won the trophy once, now prepare to face Al-Nassr, who defeated Saudi Pro League reigning champions Al-Ittihad 2-1 on Tuesday, in the final on at Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday, in a showdown between two of Saudi Arabia's most ambitious clubs. This victory not only showcases Al-Ahli's strength but also sets the stage for a thrilling final against Al-Nassr, who will be looking to claim the Saudi Super Cup title. Short link : Post Views: 15


Saudi Gazette
9 hours ago
- Saudi Gazette
Al Ahli thrash 10-man Qadsiah to reach Saudi Super Cup final
Saudi Gazette report HONG KONG — Al Ahli booked their place in the Saudi Super Cup final with a resounding 5-1 win over 10-man Qadsiah on Wednesday in Hong Kong, setting up a high-stakes clash with Al Nassr for the title. Despite conceding first, Al Ahli responded with authority and took full control of the match following the 42nd-minute sending off of Ghanaian winger Christopher Bonsu Baah in his competitive debut for Qadsiah. Qadsiah struck early, taking an eighth-minute lead through Gastón Álvarez, who nodded in unmarked from close range after a low cross by Mohammed Al Thani from a corner. But their lead lasted only four minutes. Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié equalized in the 12th minute, capitalizing on a defensive error following a throw-in, calmly slotting the ball into the net from close range. Al Ahli were then awarded a penalty in the 26th minute after a lengthy VAR review for a handball by Nahitan Nández. Ivan Toney stepped up and converted in the 28th to put the Jeddah giants ahead. By the 31st minute, Al Ahli had stretched their lead further when French winger Enzo Millot headed in a pinpoint cross from Riyad Mahrez to make it 3-1. The game tilted decisively when Bonsu Baah was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Roger Ibañez just before halftime. Al Ahli punished Qadsiah immediately, with Kessié grabbing his second of the night deep into first-half stoppage time with another strong header, again assisted by Mahrez. The dominance continued after the break, and in the 60th minute, Qadsiah captain Nacho Fernández accidentally turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear, gifting Al Ahli a fifth goal. Ivan Toney thought he had added a sixth late on, but the strike was ruled out for offside. Qadsiah struggled to create chances after their bright start, and Italian striker Mateo Retegui remained ineffective throughout before being substituted with just over 10 minutes remaining. With this emphatic win, Al Ahli now prepare to face Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in the final on August 23, in a showdown between two of Saudi Arabia's most ambitious clubs.


Asharq Al-Awsat
18 hours ago
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Nassr Coach Praises Team after Advancing to Saudi Super Cup Final
Al-Nassr coach Jorge Jesus has praised his side's resilience and tactical discipline following the club's qualification for the final of the Saudi Super Cup football tournament after defeating Al-Ittihad Club 2–1 in the semifinal match held in Hong Kong. Sadio Mane was sent off, but his early goal and a second-half strike from new signing Joao Felix secured a 2–1 win over Al-Ittihad in a tense semi-final on Tuesday. "We fully deserved the win," Jesus said. "The team was tactically very well organized, especially after Mane's dismissal." "We played more than 70 minutes without Mane, who is a key player both in attack and defense. Despite that, our structure held firm," he stated. Jesus, who took charge of Al-Nassr in July, said he was pleased with the team's progress given the short preparation time. "I have only had 25 days with the squad - not a full season. There is still a lot to fix, and 25 days isn't enough," he said. "The match was physically demanding, especially with the high humidity and playing a man down, but we came through with a fantastic win that boosts our confidence heading into the final." Al-Nassr advanced to the final, where they will face the winner of the second semi between Al-Qadsiah and Al-Ahli on Wednesday.