Ronaldo scores as Al-Nassr beat Neftchi Fergana 3-1 after hour-long security delay in Riyadh

Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Al-Nassr beat Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana 3-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite in Riyadh on Monday, 12 October, in a match that kicked off about an hour late after a security alert in the Saudi capital, according to Reuters and other reports.

The second-round league-phase fixture in the West region was played at Al-Nassr’s home ground, Al-Awwal Park (King Saud University Stadium). The win gave Al-Nassr their first points of this season’s competition, UzDaily reported.

Match delayed by security alert

Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a safety warning about 15 minutes before the scheduled kick-off, according to a Reuters report carried by The Daily Star. The Daily Jagran reported that the alert came amid reported missile threats towards Riyadh, and that the Saudi-led military coalition said it had intercepted missiles fired from Yemen by the Houthis. Kick-off was postponed while authorities assessed the situation, and the match began after the threat was cleared.

How the goals came

• 33rd minute: Angelo gave Al-Nassr the lead with a deflected strike (UzDaily lists the goal in the 34th minute)
• 42nd minute: Ronaldo doubled the lead with a shot on the turn after Sadio Mane’s cross was directed into his path by Ayman Yahya
• 51st minute: Alisher Odilov pulled one back for Neftchi
• 65th minute: Neftchi’s Ikromjon Alibaev was sent off for a foul on Mohamed Simakan
• 78th minute: Neftchi’s Anvarjon Gofurov turned a Samu Costa cross into his own net while trying to stop Ronaldo

Neftchi also had a goal disallowed late in the first half after a VAR review found Abrorbek Ismoilov offside earlier in the move, UzDaily reported.

Ronaldo moves closer to 1,000 goals

The goal took the 41-year-old Portuguese forward’s career tally to 981, leaving him 19 short of 1,000, according to Reuters. Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League champions, are coached by Ange Postecoglou, the report said.

In other West region matches on Monday, defending champions Al-Ahli beat Al-Wasl 3-1 to move to four points from two matches, Al-Ain beat Air Force Club 4-1, Esteghlal edged Al-Gharafa 2-1, Pakhtakor drew 1-1 with Al-Qadsiah and Tractor drew 0-0 with Al-Shamal, according to Reuters.

“Physically we were a little bit better and that was the key to changing the game,” Al-Ahli forward Trincao said after his side’s win, according to Reuters.

The top eight teams in each 16-team regional league phase advance to the knockout rounds.

Sources: The Daily Star (Reuters), UzDaily, The Daily Jagran