Al-Nassr managed to keep their 100% Saudi Pro League record this season after beating Al-Kholood 2-0 at Al-Awwal Park with Sadio Mane and Inigo Martinez getting on the scoresheet. Cristiano Ronaldo failed to impress yet again for Faris Najd as he missed an open goal. Regardless, Al-Nassr managed to make it two wins from two.
Al-Nassr win 2-0 despite a dull first half showing
Al-Nassr had a rather dull start to their clash against Al-Kholood at Al-Awwal Park compared to their first game of the season, which they won 5-0 with Ronaldo scoring from the spot and Joao Felix bagging a brace on the night away to Al-Taawoun.
Jorge Jesus' men seemed sloppy after returning from the international break, as they failed to create too many clear-cut chances, with the only real chance in the first half coming from Angelo's strike from 30 yards out. Ronaldo tried to create with his free kick just before the half-time, but shot high and wide, not troubling Juan Cozzani's goal. Al-Kholood threatened to score in the last 15 minutes of the first half on two occasions as they used their pace to counter against Al-Nassr's highline; however, their wayward passing in the final third meant that the game headed into the break goalless.
The second half saw Al-Nassr come out of the box quickly as they appeared to change their shape slightly with Felix pushing higher in the centre of the field, playing as more of a second-striker rather than a No. 10. The change ultimately helped Al-Nassr grab their opener after Mane linked with Kingsley Coman with a tidy two-touch before slotting the ball into the back of the net with ease.
Faris Najd almost doubled their lead soon after as Felix's deflected cross fell right at Ronaldo's feet, but the five-time Ballon d'Or winner fluffed his lines yards away from the goal as he lost his balance before taking the shot. Jesus' side got another gilt-edged chance to grab their second goal after Man's saved shot fell at Coman's feet, who missed an open goal from barely five yards out.
Al-Nassr finally managed to double their lead after Martinez headed Marcelo Brozovic's corner past Al-Kholood's keeper. However, the game wasn't yet over as the Spaniard gave away a penalty minutes late, but Myziane Maolida had his spot-kick saved by stand-in goalkeeper Raghed Al-Najjar to make sure that Al-Nassr got their second Saudi Pro League cleansheet of the season in as many games.
AdvertisementAFPMane reminds Al-Nassr fans that he is still a top player
Mane had a superb game at Al-Awwal Park as the Senegalese forward bagged his first goal of the season to give Al-Nassr the opening goal. The former Liverpool star's place in Jesus' side came under question following Faris Najd's busy summer transfer window; however, he showed yet again that his experience brings a lot to a forward line that still appears to be in transition.
Getty Images SportRonaldo fails to show up against Al-Kholood
Ronaldo hasn't had the best time domestically, as he has only managed to score from the spot so far for Al-Nassr this season. He struggled yet again against Al-Kholood as he failed to show the kind of influence on the side's attack that he usually generates. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner had a proper chance, which he scuffed at 1-0 up, and had the game gone in a different direction, he could have been left ruing his wastefulness.
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Al-Nassr will now switch their focus towards the AFC Champions League Two as they take on Tajikistan's Istiklol on Wednesday, September 17 at Al-Awwal Park. Ronaldo's side will be looking to get off to a great start in Asian football.
