11/27/2023–|Last Updated: 11/27/202311:30 PM (Makkah Time)
Saudi Al-Ittihad qualified for the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League after Abdul Razak Hamdallah scored two goals in four first-half minutes to beat Uzbekistan’s AGMK 2-1.
Coach Marcelo Gallardo’s side reached 12 points in the third group, ensuring a place in the knockout round before the end of the group stage.
Hamdallah opened the scoring for Al-Ittihad after half an hour, leveling the score at 2-0 in the 34th minute.Martin Poggi scored the home team’s lone goal with 12 minutes to go.
Al-Ittihad started the match strongly and Karim Benzema had two tries but his shots were inaccurate before teammate Saleh Al-Amri fired over the crossbar midway through the first half.
From a run towards goal, the Moroccan striker fired a low shot from a tight angle that went between the legs of goalkeeper Walijun Rahimov.
Al-Ittihad scored the second goal after Muhannad Al-Shanqidi sent in a low pass, Hamdallah turning into the net with a touch.
Competitive Goals | #Ajmak Uzbekistan 1-2 #One more Saudi#AFC_Champions_League #Ajmak_al-Ittihad#cas_channels pic.twitter.com/eL0g6vK1jD
— Al Kass Channels (@AlkassTVSports) November 27, 2023
Bakhturian Kasimov had a shot from long range that was blocked by Al-Ittihad goalkeeper Abdullah Al-Mayuf at the end of the first half, before he controlled a shot from Singer Darsunov after the break.
Although Al-Ittihad were in control, Tursunov shot a low ball in front of Al-Muyouf and Pokki turned it into the net to reduce the deficit.
Hassan Khadish squandered Al-Ittihad’s best chance before the referee blew the final whistle.
AGMK were last in the group without a point.
Ronaldo rejects the penalty kick in his favour
In Group Five, Al-Nasr Saudi Arabia – who lead the group with 13 points – qualified for the Asian Champions League quarter-finals despite a goalless draw with second-placed Iran Peruzzi on eight.
The match saw a rare incident on the pitch, where hero Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nasr’s top scorer) was awarded a penalty kick by the referee in the second minute of the match, but he rejected it.
During Peruzzi’s struggle to hold the ball inside the penalty area, Ronaldo fell to the ground and, amid protests from the players, the referee reluctantly awarded a penalty kick to Al-Nasr. But surprisingly, the Portugal star went over. The referee told him it wasn’t a penalty kick, so the assistant decided to call it off after the video referee went back to the technology.
Al-Nasr Saudi club’s top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo wins a penalty kick but tells the referee it’s not a penalty kick. Describe the behavior of the Portuguese star in one word.
#Victory_Persepolis
#AFC_Champions_League
#cas_channels pic.twitter.com/mEDltbFMmJ— Al Kass Channels (@AlkassTVSports) November 27, 2023
Ronaldo was substituted due to injury 4 days before facing Al Hilal in the Saudi Professional League.
Ronaldo appeared in pain after a heavy collision with goalkeeper Alireza Branand early in the second half and signaled his coach to replace Mohamed Maran in the 77th minute despite finishing the match normally.
Al-Nasr played with ten men from the 17th minute after team defender Ali Laghami was sent off after a strong tackle in midfield on Milat Sarlak.
Coach Luis Castro was forced to make an early change after the relegation, replacing Sami Al Naji with Mohamed Al Fathil as a defender.
In the 52nd minute, Shehab Zahedi, who received the ball inside the penalty area and fired into the net, disallowed a goal for the visitors due to offside.
Al-Duhail Qatar wins
Also in Group E, Kenyan striker Michael Olunga scored two second-half goals as Al-Tuhail beat hosts Istiqlal of Tajikistan 2-0 as the Qatari side secured their first win in Asia’s group stage. Champions League.
Coach Christophe Galtier’s side lifted their score to 4 points and are third in the group, 8 points behind leaders Al-Nasr.
Al-Tuhail played with 10 men after defender Ruben Semedo was sent off in the third minute of the game for blocking a visitor’s player while running towards goal.
Al-Tuhail will finish the group stage matches away from home against Peruzzi, while Esteghlal will host their opponents Al-Nasr.
Competitive Goals | #Al-Duhail 2 – 0 #Istiklol Tajikistan#AFC_Champions_League #Al-Duhayl_Istiklol#cas_channels pic.twitter.com/rdchVb5uM0
— Al Kass Channels (@AlkassTVSports) November 27, 2023
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