Neymar and Al-Hilal suffer scare in Asian Champions League, Al-Ittihad cruise to win
RIYADH: Brazil star Neymar endured an Asian Champions League debut to forget as Al-Hilal had to score deep into injury-time to salvage a 1-1 at home to Uzbekistan’s Navbahor in Riyadh on Monday. Neymar, signed last month from Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €90 million, was making his first start for the record Asian champions having debuted on Friday as a substitute in the Saudi Pro League victory at home to Al Riyadh. Runners-up in last year’s Champions League, Al-Hilal were fortunate not to lose their Group B opener having gone behind on 52 minutes at King Fahd International Stadium to Toma Tabatadze’s expert finish. Navbahor, the 2022 Uzbekistan Super League runners-up, were competing in the Champions League for the first time. However, Al-Hilal defender Ali Al-Bulaihi rescued a point for the four-time champions in the 100th minute, rising unmarked in the Navbahor area to head home Michael’s corner. Neymar, who earlier this month became Brazil’s all-time lead goalscorer, had largely a night to forget.
