Ronaldo’s Trophy Drought Continues as Al-Nassr Upset in AFC Champions League Two Final

Cristiano Ronaldo's pursuit of a first major trophy with Al-Nassr was prolonged after the Saudi club suffered a 1-0 upset defeat at home to Japan's Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two final. The match, held on Saturday in Riyadh, saw Al-Nassr, considered favorites, fall short despite playing in front of a home crowd of 26,000 at King Saud University Stadium.

The loss marks another setback for Ronaldo, who joined Al-Nassr in January 2023, as his wait for significant silverware continues. The AFC Champions League Two is Asia's second-tier club competition, comparable to Europe's UEFA Europa League.

Early Lead for Gamba Osaka

The decisive moment came in the 30th minute when Deniz Hummet scored for Gamba Osaka, against the run of play. Hummet capitalized on a through ball from Issam Jebali, firing past the Al-Nassr goalkeeper. This early goal put the Japanese side ahead, a lead they successfully defended through the remainder of the match.

Gamba Osaka's victory makes them the first Japanese club to win the competition, while also preventing Al-Nassr from becoming the first Saudi winners. The result is a significant achievement for Gamba Osaka and a bitter disappointment for the Riyadh-based club and their star player.

Key Facts

Impact on Al-Nassr's Season

This defeat comes just days after another crucial result for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League. A last-gasp own goal by goalkeeper Bento resulted in a 1-1 draw against title rivals Al-Hilal, keeping Al-Nassr just two points clear at the top of the league table with one game remaining.

Despite the Champions League Two final loss, Al-Nassr still has a chance to secure a major trophy this season. They can clinch their 11th Saudi Pro League title, and first since 2019, if they win their final home match against Damac on Thursday. Al-Hilal, 21-time champions, will play their final game against Al-Fayha simultaneously.

Coach's Perspective

Al-Nassr's coach, Jorge Jesus, acknowledged the disappointment but quickly shifted focus to the upcoming league decider. "We didn't get what we wanted here but there is one more final for us, the Saudi Pro League title, which is very important to us," Jesus stated. "We have five days to recover and prepare and there is no time for grieving. We have to get going again."

Ronaldo's season has been productive individually, as he is Al-Nassr's leading scorer with 28 goals from 36 games across all competitions. However, the collective success in terms of major trophies has so far eluded him since his high-profile move to Saudi Arabia. The upcoming Saudi Pro League match against Damac now carries immense importance for both Ronaldo and the club.

Fuente: BBC Sport, https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cm2pe6d9prvo?atmedium=RSS&atcampaign=rss