Nasr failed to take advantage of the low moral of their
rivals who were eliminated by Zob Ahan of Iran from the AFC Champion League
semifinal last Wednesday.
Critics favored Nasr to win last night's match. But it
was not to be as Hilal were a different side and played with renewed spirit.
Nasr was first to score in the 19th minute following a
penalty kick. Majed Al-Marshadi brought down Rayyan Belal inside the forbidden
area. Abdul Rahman Al-Qahtani placed the ball to the left hand corner of the
rival goalkeeper.
Hilal then pushed forward hard for the equalizer but
failed to convert the opportunities that came their way. Stout defending by the
Nasr defenders enabled them to keep their lead.
After the change of ends, it was evident that the Hilal
players received some pep talk and went all out for the equalizer.
They were not to be denied for long as they leveled the
score in the 62nd minute.
Essa Al-Muhayyani received a pass from Muhammad
Al-Shalhoub who blasted the ball into the net giving rival goaltender no
chance.
Hilal is now in fourth position with 16 points with four
pending games. Nasr remained third with 17 points.
