Ronaldo and Al-Hilal peg back Ittihad on dramatic day

RIYADH: Thanks to the efforts of Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Hilal, the Roshn Saudi League title race was blown wide open on Tuesday evening. At half-time, Al-Ittihad were 2-1 ahead at Al-Hilal and seven points clear of Al-Nassr in second.

Thanks to a last minute strike from Michael Delgado, the leaders were held to a 2-2 draw and with Ronaldo inspiring Al-Nassr to a 2-0 win at Al-Tai, the gap at the top is now three points with three to play. For the second time in two seasons, the Tigers are in danger of dropping the trophy just when they are about to get their paws on it.

The late show from Al-Hilal was in contrast to the early dominance from Al-Ittihad. On paper, this test at the home of the defending champion was the most difficult for coach Nuno Santo and his men but for the first 30 minutes or so, it looked easy. The visitors, cheered on by a large and visible contingent of travelling fans, oozed class from the first whistle and Ahmed Hegazi was soon heading an early corner just over.

It didn’t matter as the Tigers were ahead after eight minutes. Coronado entered the left side of the area, swapped passes with Abderrazak Hamdallah and fired home a low shot at the near post. The hosts claimed that the Brazilian had fouled Moussa Marega in the build-up but the ball was soon back on the centre spot. 

The attacks were coming in waves with the shell-shocked Riyadh giants unable to get out of their own half and Coronada almost added a second after 15 minutes with a free-kick that had the goalkeeper in trouble. Soon after, Hamdallah really should have scored after turning into space on the edge of the six-yard box but his shot was saved as was an effort from Romarinho.  It seemed to be a matter of time before the second