Sports
Neymar Returns As Al Hilal Triumph In 9-Goal Thriller Against Al Ain
The 32-year-old former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward had been sidelined for more than a year after suffering a torn meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while on international duty in October last year. Neymar underwent surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process before finally making his comeback. He remains Brazil’s all-time leading goalscorer, with 79 goals in 128 appearances.
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Named on the Al Hilal bench for the first time since his injury, Neymar entered the game in the 76th minute of the Asian Champions Elite clash at a packed Hazzan Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. By the time he stepped onto the field, the four-time Asian champions, currently topping the Saudi Pro League, were leading 5-3, with goals from Renan Lodi, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and a hat-trick from Salem Al Dawsari.
Neymar is not eligible for registration in the Saudi Pro League until January, but his return adds another layer of excitement for Al Hilal’s title charge.
The scoring began in the 26th minute when Aleksandar Mitrovic, formerly of Newcastle United and Fulham, set up Lodi with a pass down the left flank. The ex-Atletico Madrid full-back drilled a low shot past Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Essa to give Hilal the lead.
Al Ain responded six minutes before halftime, as Morocco international Soufiane Rahimi slotted home a cross to equalize. Rahimi, the top scorer and best player in last season’s Asian Champions League campaign, was a key figure for Al Ain.
However, just before the break, Al Hilal regained control. A cross from Joao Cancelo, a summer acquisition from Manchester City, found Milinkovic-Savic, who headed home unmarked from six yards out. Moments later, reigning Asian Player of the Year Salem Al Dawsari broke free from the Al Ain defence, rounded the advancing Essa, and curled a brilliant shot into the net, giving Hilal a commanding lead heading into halftime.
Al Ain reduced the deficit just after the hour, through substitute Mateo Sanabria, only for Al Dawsari to flick home his second of the night from a Milinkovic-Savic centre.
Minutes later, Rahimi notched his double as a see-saw clash took another swing. Al Dawsari then restored Hilal’s two-goal advantage with a sublime strike from range.
Not long into 12 minutes of the allotted injury-time, and with Hilal reduced to 10 men after defender Ali Al Bulaihi was sent off for an intentional handball, Rahimi won and converted a penalty to secure his hat-trick and give Al Ain hope, but the Saudi champions hung on to claim the win.
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Neymar had little time to truly impact the game, although he did flash wide an effort in the dying moments of normal time.
Hilal sit top of the Western region group, with three victories from three while Al Ain have picked up a solitary point.
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