Al-Nassr stage stellar comeback in battle of Aussie managers

RIYADH: Few could have been blamed for having concerns ahead of Al-Nassr's clash at Al-Ettifaq on Matchday 3 of the Saudi Pro League. After all, Al-Nassr have only won twice in Dammam in their last seven meetings — their 2-2 draw last season marking the first time they dropped points that campaign, sparking a worrying run of form before their eventual revival and title-winning charge.

It has also been seven years since Arthur Papas won the J-League title as Ange Postecoglou's assistant at Yokohama F. Marinos — and in the first-ever all-Australian managerial encounter in SPL history, the student was on the verge of toppling the teacher in a thrilling match not without its drama.

A Bento red card in the 12th minute ended any hope that Al-Nassr would dominate the game. Following a strange handball from Salem Al-Najdi in Al-Nassr's half, Al-Ettifaq winger Rayane Messi quickly played the free-kick to Mousa Dembele, who was through on goal. Bento caught him outside the box, leading referee Mohammed Al-Hoish to brandish a red card.

In a surprising call from Postecoglou, midfield stalwart Angelo was taken off and third-choice goalkeeper Abdulrahman Al-Otaibi was brought on. Al-Otaibi — now second in the pecking order with the anticipated departure of previous backup Nawaf Al-Aqidi — had a night to forget in goal.

That is not to say Papas' side did not have Al-Nassr's number even in the first 11 minutes. The midfield of Yasir Al-Shammari, Ondrej Duda and Alvaro Medran cut through the heart of the pitch even before the red card, but fully imposed their dominance after the dismissal.

Al-Otaibi — who had never played a league minute before this fixture — was tested from range, with Al-Ettifaq attempting more than 10 shots from