JEDDAH: Riyadh-based Al-Nasr got the victory it needed to qualify for the semifinals, beating Al-Khor of Qatar 3-1 in the final Group A match in the 24th Gulf Clubs Championship yesterday.
The result of the concluding group stage match in Doha set up an all-Saudi semifinals. Having qualified second of Group A on seven points Nasr will face Al-Ahli which had advanced first of Group B.
The other semifinal pits Al-Qadisia against Al-Salmiyah. The teams are both from Kuwait, sealing a final clash between clubs from the Kingdom and Kuwait.
Al-Muharraq of Bahrain was waiting for Nasr to either draw or lose for it to qualify second of the group alongside early qualifier Qadisia. Neither happened as Nasr played good football to advance and end Muharraq’s hopes.
After a scoreless first half, Nasr entered the second half with a do or die mindset. Nasr’s attacking game paid off as the team drew first blood in the 52nd minute from a fine free kick that went on the left-hand side of the goalie by Muhammad Al-Zahrani.
The goal spurred Nasr to put more pressure on the hosts. Ten minutes later Brazilian international Elton Jose struck in the 62nd minute with a well-executed volley from inside the penalty box. Al-Khor scored its only goal in the 64th minute on free kick by Fabris Soza.
Nasr sealed win in the 85th minute with a fine header by Al-Zahrani.
