Ronaldo suffers first league defeat as Al Nassr lose top spot
Cristiano Ronaldo suffered his first Saudi Pro League defeat on Thursday as Al Ittihad claimed a 1-0 win to replace Al Nassr at the top of the table.
Al Nassr had not lost any of their five league games since Ronaldo’s debut on February 3, drawing his first match before racking up four successive wins.
But that run ended against their title rivals at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Romarinho got the game’s only goal in the 80th minute, rounding off a devastating counter-attack.
The forward brilliantly brought down Ahmed Sharahili’s right-wing delivery on the edge of the penalty box, with his first touch taking a defender out of the game.
He then applied a cool finish which sparked jubilant celebrations.
Al Nassr coach Rudi Garcia tried to focus on the positives, however.
“We are disappointed because we did not deserve to lose,” he said. Al Ittihad scored a goal the way they like, on the counter-attack. The league is still long. We are now behind Al Ittihad by a point,” said Garcia. “I am happy with my team. We played in a difficult stadium in front of a strong audience, and yet we played with a wonderful personality.”
(dpa/NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Niger: Police rescue two suspected phone thieves from mob
He identified the suspects as Hassan Abdullahi, 20, and Khalifa Bashir, 22.
Heading 5
Court of Appeal nullifies Electoral Act provisions on parties’ primary election, membership register
Zenith Party argued that the disputed Electoral Act provisions unlawfully interfered with the internal affairs of political parties.
Lagos
Governor Sanwo-Olu inaugurates climate investment fund
Mr Sanwo-Olu described the fund as a landmark intervention.
States
Judiciary partners revenue board to boost IGR in Taraba
Mr Agya commended the service for its reforms.
NationWide
NRC reaffirms police partnership to protect rail assets
Mr Opeifa described the nation’s railway infrastructure as critical national assets that must be safeguarded.
