Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The joy of watching Cristiano Ronaldo in Abu Dhabi was short-lived as Al Nassr made an early exit from the Saudi Cup on Thursday evening. Al Hilal beat them 2-1 to secure an entry to the final against Al Ittihad, who also defeated Wehda 2-1 in the other game of the night.
Ronaldo’s frustration boiled over into ignominy towards the end, after the referee gave the marching orders for some harsh words spoken by the Portuguese superstar.
While the four teams from Saudi Arabia have a smattering of star names for footballers in their ranks, if there was any doubt who shone the brightest of them all, a look into the packed Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi gave away the answer.
The home ground of Al Jazira was decked in yellow with the blue shades of Al Hilal only doing enough as the balancing act. The first half action also went on similar lines with Al Nassr more aggressive as Al Hilal defence sat back and soaked in pressure from mostly Ronaldo, and a little bit of his usual overzealous self. Towards the end of the first half, both sides saw a goal chalked off to come on an even keel.
Al Hilal turn on the screw
After the breather, Ronaldo was the first to come out on the field to loud cheers. But the tide had changed with Al Hilal’s forward line charging out of the block with one attack after another. Goalkeeper David Ospina came well out of the penalty box to save one dangerous counter attack move. A rasping long-ranger from Malcolm, whose goal was disallowed, hit the upright and former Arsenal and Napoli goalkeeper Ospina made another diving save, which popped out briefly but no harm was done.
That was until the 62nd minute when a great through ball from Abdulla Al Hamdan saw Salem Al Dawsari slip one past the keeper. Eleven minutes later, a cross from Michael to his Brazilian compatriot Malcolm resulted in the second goal. That momentum and 20-minute period from the first goal saw wave after wave from the Al Hilal camp in an ominous sign for the UAE fans.
😭🟥
— FCB Albiceleste (@FCBAlbiceleste) April 8, 2024
🎥 Via @xx76668329
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The Al Ain technical staff will be watching the game closely as Al Hilal showed dangerous fluidity and will stay in town until next week’s AFC Champions League semi-final first leg match in the Garden City as Al Ain seek to add to the inaugural ACL title they won in 2003.
Meanwhile, tempers boiled over at the sideline for a throw-in claimed by both sides with Ronaldo trying to rush the pace with the ball in his hands. An ugly brawl broke out among all players and Hilal’s Ali AlBulayhi got away with a yellow for exaggerating a elbow jab by Ronaldo that led to the fist fight. Ronaldo gave the referee a piece of his mind even as he got the marching orders four minutes before time.
In the closing minutes, Sadio Mane let go of an opportunity to score and passed instead in front of the goalmouth with the keeper at his mercy. A similar opportunity came in the 99th minute and he scored with an angling left-footer from close range, but it was a little too late.
Benzema gets a boost
Away from the spotlight on Ronaldo, the actions earlier of a Frenchman trying to make a statement almost slipped through the radar. Karim Benzema’s Al Ittihad ran out easy 2-1 winners thanks to his first-minute goal against Wehda FC down the Airport Road at Al Nahyan Stadium, the home of Abu Dhabi club Al Wahda.
This was Karim Benzema’s first goal since 15 December 2023!
— Al Nassr Zone (@TheNassrZone) April 8, 2024
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The Saudi star Abderrazzak Hamdallah chipped with a second-goal cushion for the team in the 42nd minute. Wehda could only manage a late injury-time consolation goal through Husain Al Eisa.
Benzema’s goal was not anything notable, but it was his first since December 15 last year amid a troubled transition from Real Madrid. He even tweeted on the eve of his departure in French that translated to “Don't forget that there is always a comeback.” He also told in an interview that he needed more support from his teammates.
But it was a rival defender who gave the lift he needed. The first move since the start resulted in a crowding at the Wehda goalmouth and a needless, weak backpass by the defender only saw Benzema pivot 180 degrees and slot a back volley into the goal.
