Yokohama F. Marinos Vs Al-Nassr, AFC Champions League Highlights: Catch the play-by-play updates from the quarter-final football tie between Yokohama F. Marinos and Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr in Jeddah, as it happened
Greetings and a very warm welcome to all our readers. We are all building up to the start of the AFC Champions League last-eight clash between Yokohama F. Marinos and Al-Nassr, and the good news is that Cristiano Ronaldo is starting for the Saudi Pro League side. Watch this space for live updates.
In addition to Ronaldo, who will expectedly be captain, Sadio Mane is also starting for Al-Nassr. Here's how the two teams line up ahead of kick-off in Jeddah:
The match will begin at 1am India time. The last-eight AFC Champions League encounter between the Cristiano Ronaldo-led Al-Nassr and Yokohama FM will be live streamed on the FanCode app and website in India. The game will also be broadcast on the Sports18 network channels.
Al-Nassr attacking from right to left and Yokohama F. Marinos from left to right in the first half. Ronaldo goes down in the third minute but nothing comes of it. Al-Nassr continue to surge, earning their first corner in the fourth minute.
Yokohama defender Ken Matsubara has been shown the yellow card for a clumsy challenge in the 15th minute. No big goal-scoring chance has been created in the first 20 minutes otherwise, even as Al-Nassr continue to call the shots.
Al-Nassr benefit from a gaffe by Yokohama defender Thomas Deng. His mistimed kick ricochets off the Japanese team's post and Jhon Duran is on the prowl to slot the ball into the back of the net.
Sadio Mane joins the party. The 33-year-old Senegalese forward latches on to Otavio's assist to drill it in from his left foot in the 31st minute. Al-Nassr are two to the good in Jeddah.
Now here's a sight for sore eyes. Cristiano Ronaldo joins the goal-scorers with an easy tap-in from his left foot in the 38th minute. Al-Nassr go 3-0 up with their captain's strike, and well on their way to a semi-finals berth.
Yokohama get a breather as the half-time whistle bowls in Jeddah. It has been one-way traffic so far, and the scoreline reflects that as well. Can the Japanese side find a way back from here? Seems unlikely, but we'll know for sure in the second half.
Players are back onto the pitch after the mid-game interval. Ronaldo's Al Nassr attacking from left to right in the second half, and Yokohama from right to left.
The Al-Nassr onslaught resumes. Jhon Duran scores his second, another straightforward goal from close range after Ali Al-Hassan's shot is edflected and then parried, albeit unsuccessfully by the Yokohama 'keeper. That's 4-0 for Al-Nassr, and the match is now almost certainly in their favour.
The Japanese club have a goal of their own finally. Anderson Lopes lines it up for Kota Watanabe, who finds the back of the net to pull one back for the Marinos. Al-Nassr still possess a three-goal lead, however.
It's a bittersweet night for substitute Kota Watanabe who, after scoring Yokohama's opener, is sent off after a misguided tackle results in a second yellow. The Japanese side is down to 10 men and appears to be headed for certain defeat.
That's that. The full-time whistle blows and Al-Nassr emerge victors by a resounding 4-1 margin over Yokohama FM. The Japanese side was never really in the contest and ends its campaign here, while Cristiano Ronaldo's men ease into the AFC Champions League semi-finals.