Wanderley's debut double sees Al Nasr triumph

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • One foot in the semis: Al Nasr on historic ACL run

    DOHA – Al Nasr have given themselves a perfect chance of extending their historic AFC Champions League-run into the semi-finals after Wanderley’s debut double and Jonathan Pitroipa’s measured shot earned a superb 3-0 triumph at Qatar’s El Jaish.

    The visitors excelled from kick-off after the summer recess in Doha, which had been consumed during the afternoon by a sandstorm, a blitz either side of half-time helping secure a dominant advantage ahead of September 14’s return in Dubai.

    Coach Ivan Jovanovic could not have wished for a better performance from his knockout-stage debutants.

    In front of a vocal travelling ‘Nasrawy’ support at the disappointingly-empty Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium, centre forward Wanderley exhibited the predatory instinct which saw him recruited from Sharjah last month to tap in before the break.

    Burkina Faso winger Pitroipa then drove into the area and slotted home on 54 minutes, with Wanderley again pouncing at the death to cap off a fantastic performance on the road.

    Not even the introduction of ex-Barcelona and Roma centre midfielder Seydou Keita immediately after the interval could stop the Blue Wave in this quarter-final opener.

    The pedigree of ex-France international Sabri Lamouchi’s hosts made the result even-more creditable. They had comfortably dispatched Al Ain during both matches to top Group D, while a second-placed finish in the Qatar Stars League and victory in the Qatar Crown Prince Cup had occurred during 2015/16.

    Lekhwiya – the side they shared this ground with and the dominant force of reason years in the Qatari capital – had also been brushed aside 6-4 on aggregate in the round of 16.

    Jovanovic would take further strength from the facts that the result was attained without suspended ex-Jaish loanee Jires Kembo Ekoko and the summer buy Abdelaziz Barrada can only improve after a quiet bow.

    Nasr took to the pitch with confidence, exerting pressure from the first whistle. Wanderley appeared in the mood, stinging giant goalkeeper Khalifa Ababacar’s fingers with a low drive then hurting compatriot Lucas Mendes as the centre-back swiped his powerful frame to earn a yellow card.

    Jaish could only pepper attempts from distance through Uzbekistan forward Sardor Rashidov and Magid Mohammad before the breakthrough was produced at the other end.

    Wanderley took the plaudits, but it was midfielder Tariq Ahmed’s raking ball which played Pitroipa clean through which sparked it.

    Nasr kept up the pace after the break and Pitroipa was on hand to drive home before the hour mark after being teed up by Barrada.

    Their opponents simply could not gain a footing, Rashidov’s slip when clean through not helping matters.

    It was left to substitute Salem Saleh to unselfishly set up fellow striker Wanderley for the third, the Brazilian elegantly working space in the penalty box and poking in from close range.

    Right-back Ahmed Al Yassi then booted away Keita’s towering header on the line to seal a momentous night for Nasr.

    Recommended