Latest news with #AlNassrClub
Saudi Gazette
26-04-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Duran leads Al Nassr past Yokohama Marinos into AFC Champions League Elite semi-finals
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH — Al Nassr Club stormed into the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2025 with a commanding 4-1 victory over Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday. Jhon Duran starred with a brace while Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane added a goal each, setting up a last-four showdown against either Kawasaki Frontale or Al Sadd SC on Wednesday. After a quiet opening, Al Nassr sparked into life midway through the first half. Marcelo Brozovic tested Park Il-gyu early, but the breakthrough came in the 27th minute when Sadio Mane's cross caused chaos, with Thomas Deng's miskick hitting the post before Duran pounced on the rebound to open the scoring. The Saudi side doubled their advantage four minutes later. A surging run by Otavio created space, and Mane finished calmly to make it 2-0. Al Nassr continued their dominance, and Ronaldo smashed home a rebound in the 38th minute after Brozovic's deflected shot was parried away by Park, taking Ronaldo's tally to eight goals for the head coach Patrick Kisnorbo made attacking changes at halftime, but Al Nassr struck again just three minutes into the second half. Ali Hassan's curling shot was palmed away by Park, only for Duran to react quickest and slot home his second of the pulled one back in the 53rd minute when Anderson Lopes teed up Kouta Watanabe to fire past Bento Krepski. However, any hopes of a comeback faded when Watanabe was sent off in the 73rd minute for a second yellow card after a foul on Aiman Nassr comfortably managed the closing stages to secure their spot in the semi-finals.
Saudi Gazette
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Saudi Gazette
Al Nassr hold Persepolis to goalless draw, leaving Iranian side's knockout hopes in doubt
TEHRAN — A much-rotated Al Nassr Club held Persepolis to a goalless draw on Monday, leaving the Iranian side's AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 knockout stage hopes hanging in the balance. The draw moved Persepolis into eighth place in the West Zone standings, but their fate remains uncertain, with Qatar's Al Gharafa and fellow Iranian side Esteghlal FC poised to overtake them if they secure wins in their final group-stage matches. Persepolis aimed for a strong start, encouraged by the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran from Al Nassr's matchday squad, while stars Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte started on the home side's early intent was evident when Milad Mohammadi surged forward from the left-back position in the eighth minute, delivering a low cross that Farshad Ahmadzadeh narrowly missed at the far post, with Al Nassr goalkeeper Raghid Najjar unable to react. Despite Persepolis' energetic start, Al Nassr gradually gained control, with Marcelo Brozovic dictating play in Iranian side, however, regained momentum towards the end of the first half, with Mohammad Khodabandelho forcing Najjar into a diving save in the 34th minute, while Hossein Kanani and Omid Alishah saw their attempts easily dealt with as the match remained scoreless at halftime. The second half was slow to ignite, with the wet conditions at Azadi Stadium creating an opening for Serdar Dusun, who failed to capitalize after Brozovic slipped in possession. Al Nassr nearly took the lead minutes later when Angelo was played through on goal, but Persepolis goalkeeper Alexis Guendouz reacted swiftly to block the initial attempt before securing the loose ball ahead of Brozovic. 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.
