JEDDAH, 21 May 2008 — In front of 75, 000 fans Saudi football icon Majed Ahmed Abdullah’s long overdue testimonial match ended with the home team Al-Nasr snatching a storybook 4-1 victory against Spanish League champions Real Madrid last night in Riyadh.
In a big celebration fit for a king the Saudi black diamond roamed the football pitch at the King Fahd International Stadium, a venue at which he distinguished himself as the first to score when it opened for the first time in 1988.
A laser show and a song dedicated to the footballer preformed by Saudi singer Rashid Al-Majed preceded the night’s climax featuring Spanish football giants Real Madrid.
Majed entered the match in the middle of the first half to cheering fans. Despite the extra pounds he put on after nearly 10 years off the field, Majed’s position was of a veteran superstar. The first half ran smooth with no serious threats on either of the teams.
Still jetlagged after arriving and playing on the same day, Real Madrid passed the ball around with ease. In the 20h minute Real defender Sergio Ramos’ powerful right footer hit the post, as Nasr goalkeeper Mohammed Al-Daie stood motionless.
Early in the second half, Real forward Robinho curled in a shot past the left-hand side of the goalie for the first goal of the match. The home team picked up the pace with the participation of Abdu Atif and Malik Muaz in the second half. Along with Iraqi Nasha’at Akram the trio preformed a dangerous triangle the Spanish team didn’t expect. In the 54th minute Nasha’at passed the ball to unguarded Malik who scored with ease.
A minute later Malik returned the favor to Nasha’at as he gave him the pass to score Nasr’s second goal. Real Madrid searched for an equalizer, but the pumped-up home team locked out all attempts. In the 61st minute Nasr pulled in the third goal from a header via midfielder Saud Kariri that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The fourth came in the last minute when Ala Kuakbi broke the offside trap gaining a headstart in front of Real defenders as he crossed the ball to Malik who slammed the ball into the net.
Real Madrid Press Conference
Hours after arriving yesterday morning, Real Madrid appeared before the public for the first time in the Kingdom at a press conference at the Faisaliah Hotel prior to the evening match against Nasr.
Real Madrid German coach Bernd Schuster said during the press conference that the team is ending its season with this trip to Saudi Arabia. He added that his team is highly pleased about the visit. “We will seriously work to make Real Madrid management consider Riyadh to be one of the destinations before every season kicks off.
“Saudi Arabia looks to me a very fabulous place and one that deserves another visit,” said Schuster whose team included Spanish international Raul Gonzales, who presented a souvenir Real Madrid jersey to Majed Abdullah. But he added that the main hindrance for the visit is mainly time. He pointed out that the six hours flight left his team exhausted. The team arrived in Riyadh early in the morning and had to play the same day. For his part, Gonzales said Majed Abdullah is a star. “I didn’t meet the player or witnessed his achievements but I think a player receiving such a tribute and has 533 goals during a sparkling career in Saudi football must be a great striker,” he said.
He was surprised Real Madrid is hugely popular in the Kingdom. “When we arrived at the airport this morning I was overwhelmed by so much young and old fans, besides the press, waiting for us. He added this visit will make the team even more popular.
“ I know from people around me in Spain that our team has thousands of fans here in the Kingdom,” he said
Majed Abdullah expressed his happiness to finally have a testimonial for him. “I will not forget this day seeing real Madrid with all its start coming to share this moment with me.”
