Ronaldo leads Al Nassr past Al Ittihad to reach Saudi Super Cup final

HONG KONG, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Al Nassr beat Al Ittihad 2-1 in the Saudi Super Cup semifinals at Hong Kong Stadium on Tuesday, with marquee player Cristiano Ronaldo assisting Joao Felix for the winner.

This year's Saudi Super Cup held in Hong Kong features four teams across two semifinals and a final. More than 30,000 fans, most of whom are apparently Ronaldo supporters, packed the ground for the opening semifinal. Ronaldo and Felix started for Al Nassr, while Al Ittihad fielded Karim Benzema and N'Golo Kante.

Al Nassr struck first after 10 minutes when Marcelo Brozovic surged down and pulled back for Sadio Mane, who finished with a first-time volley. Al Ittihad got back on level terms five minutes later, when Moussa Diaby laid it off for Steven Bergwijn to find the net.

Mane went from hero to zero minutes later as he was sent off for an awful challenge on opposite goalkeeper Hamed Al Shanqiti.

With one player down, Al Nassr nevertheless restored the lead in the 61st minute when Ronaldo sprung the offside trap and selflessly squared for Felix to tap it into the empty net. The winner helped Al Nassr secure a spot in the final.

Ronaldo, who worn the armband from the start, was subbed off in the 90th minute and enjoyed the applauses from all corners of the stadium. ■