Brazil centre-back Bruno Uvini’s 97th-minute header earned a dramatic 3-2 Riyadh derby triumph for Al Nassr against 10-man rivals Al Hilal and flipped the Saudi Professional League’s title race on its head.
A consequential clash in front of nearly 60,000 fevered supporters at King Fahd International Stadium came to life in the second half when prolific Morocco hit man Abderazzak Hamdallah nodded home a 22nd goal in 13 matches during 2019. Saudi Arabia centre-back Ali Al Bulaihi, however, soon looped in from a corner to level up for the long-term leaders.
A handball from powerhouse midfielder Mohammed Kanno would necessitate his costly 67th-minute dismissal for a second booking. Uvini’s header, from another set-piece, then crept under Oman veteran Ali Al Habsi 10 minutes later to ramp up the pressure on Hilal, who never-the-less equalised in some style through winger Salem Al Dawsari’s artful dribble and goal-line finish.
With the contest seemingly headed for a stalemate, Uvini rose highest to head back across goal and write his name into Nassr folklore. This result gifted ex-Benfica head coach Rui Vitoria’s side a one-point advantage with five games to play, while ending Hilal’s lengthy stint at the top stretching back to round eight.
NASSR’S POWER SURGE
It took until deep into injury time for Nassr’s dominance to, decisively, tell.
And in both derbies this term, they’ve benefited from red cards. In most metrics, however, Friday’s result was fully merited.
Vitoria masterminded an imperious home performance in which in-form Nassr enjoyed more attempts (16/6), possession (57/43 per cent), dispossessions (20/17) and interceptions (nine/six). Vitally, in a contest that featured four headed goals out of five scored, they also led the way with crosses (38/12).
A spine that contained Brazilians Maicon, Uvini and Petros added reinforced steel. In front of this, the likes of reintegrated Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa and ceaseless Morocco winger Nordin Amrabat allied work-rate with attacking acumen.
Their ascendancy after a first half of few chances was no accident. Just reward came through a seventh-successive top-flight victory.
November’s dismissal of Uruguay’s Daniel Carreno appeared capricious. Now, it looks inspired.
Never two without three!
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) March 29, 2019
⚽️⚽️⚽️💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/YV6e4nA0yZ
MAMIC’S LOSS OF MOMENTUM
The contrast to flagging Hilal was marked.
After two-successive draws, a first SPL loss can be added to coach Zoran Mamic’s results column.
When the former Croatia international was poached from Al Ain in late January, a six-point lead was his inheritance from Jorge Jesus. In three winless matches, this has devolved into a one-point deficit.
Ex-France centre forward Bafetimbi Gomis was subdued on Friday and had to come off through injury. That’s now one goal in his last eight run-outs.
Australia international Milos Degenek, unsurprisingly, floundered in an unfamiliar defensive-midfield role.
Serious injuries to influential Saudi stars Salman Al Faraj and Abdullah Otayf continues to deny Hilal’s engine room of essential fuel.
Was this slowdown an accident waiting to happen from a club top-heavy in talent? Hilal’s squad depth is failing a stress test as fixtures pile up in three competitions.
THE FUTURE
Victory for Nassr is made more momentous by a study of what is to come.
A trio of their remaining SPL outings will be played at home. This situation is flipped for Hilal. Four of Nassr’s opponents reside in the bottom half of the table. A fifth, Al Fateh, are eighth.
For Hilal, just two can be found in the lower reaches. They next play Al Hazem on April 4, a club who defeated them 2-1 in December.
Games with Al Taawoun, Al Ahli Jeddah and a final-day derby with Al Shabab Riyadh illustrate how strenuous their remaining run to a third-successive success will be.
Confidence is not misplaced that Nassr’s four-season title drought is about to end.
Fini, bonne nuit! pic.twitter.com/WZ4y5dZxiL
— AlNassr FC (@AlNassrFC_EN) March 29, 2019
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