Cristiano Ronaldo's wait for a first major trophy since moving to Saudi Arabia goes on after his Al Nassr side was beaten 1-0 by Japan's Gamba Osaka in the final of the AFC Champions League Two on Saturday.
Osaka scored with its only shot on target of the game, through Deniz Hümmet's goal in the 29th minute. Despite dominating possession and shots at goal, Al Nassr failed to find an equalizer.
Playing in front of 26,000 fans at their King Saud University Stadium, Saudi side Al-Nassr were favourites to win Asian football's second-tier club competition - equivalent to Europe's Europa League.
But Deniz Hummet scored for the visitors against the run of play in Riyadh on Saturday, latching on to Issam Jebali's through ball to fire home in the 30th minute.
Gamba Osaka then held on in the second half to become the first Japanese club to win the competition, while preventing Al-Nassr becoming the first Saudi winners.
The defeat in Riyadh means Ronaldo has now lost four finals since joining Al Nassr in December 2022. His solitary final success came in the Arab Club Champions Cup, an unofficial competition, in 2023.
Ronaldo's latest setback came four days after a last-gasp own goal by goalkeeper Bento kept the Portugal forward waiting for his first piece of major silverware since joining Al-Nassr in January 2023.
That allowed Saudi Pro League title rivals Al-Hilal to claim a 1-1 draw and remain within two points of leaders Al-Nassr with one game left.
However, Ronaldo's side will become Saudi champions for the 11th time - and first since 2019 - if they win at home to Damac on Thursday.
Al-Hilal, the 21-time champions, play their final game at Al-Fayha at the same time on Thursday.
"We didn't get what we wanted here but there is one more final for us, the Saudi Pro League title, which is very important to us," said Al-Nassr's coach Jorge Jesus.
"We have five days to recover and prepare and there is no time for grieving. We have to get going again."
Post a Comment