Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo led Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club to their first win in the AFC Champions League Elite after they defeated Al Rayyan SC 2-1 at the King Saud University Stadium yesterday. The match also marked Al Nassr head coach Stefano Pioli’s first taste of continental club football in Asia with a win, taking the Saudi Arabian club to four points with Al Rayyan still looking for their first. Back in the team after having missed the opener against Iraq’s Al Shorta, Ronaldo was heavily involved in the opening period of the match, starting a move that led to Angelo Gabriel stabbing a shot wide before twice testing Al Rayyan keeper Paulo Vidotti, who came out on top on both occasions.
Mane was next to register an attempt in the 17th minute, smashing a shot wide after being fed by Ronaldo following a scramble inside Al Rayyan’s box. Having survived the early onslaught, the visitors fashioned their first opportunity just before the half hour mark with Roger Guedes’ solo run ending up with a shot that forced a save from Bento Krepski. Despite their dominance, Al Nassr had Bento to thank in the 41st minute after the Brazilian pulled off a great save, diving to his right to deny Achraf Bencharki who was on the follow-up after Trezeguet’s shot was blocked.
The breakthrough came for the home side a minute into first half added time when Sultan Al Ghannam delivered a perfect cross for Mane, arriving at the back post, to thump his header past Vidotti. Al Nassr thoug.