Al Hilal 3
(Al Qahtani 19, Al Jaber 39, Al Khasrashi 73)
Manchester United 2
(Tevez 25, Ronaldo 33)
The King Fahd stadium was packed for this encounter, with
35-year-old Saudi international legend Al-Jaber the main focus of
attention.
The home fans left delighted with an Al-Hilal victory, but it came
after two spot-kicks (one scored) that might, in a competitive
game, have been dismissed.
Still, there was nothing illegitimate about the first goal, which
saw Yasser Al-Qahtani finish from close range after a deflection
off Rio Ferdinand.
United gained near-instant reply when Carlos Tevez netted six
minutes later, capitalising on some energetic countering from
Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo himself then grabbed a goal when he nodded home from Nani's
corner.
However, the visitors were pegged back to 2-2 just before the
interval when Al-Jaber netted a very dubious penalty after an
alleged foul by Ferdinand.
He earned another penalty later, but Al-Shalhoub blasted it
wide.
Still, the hosts were left cheering when Bader Al-Kharashi netted a
wonderful overhead kick past substitute keeper Tom Heaton, sealing
a memorable afternoon for the hosts, and presumably a lucrative one
for the visitors.
In the last minute highly-rated youngster Welbeck was fouled in the
area and took the resulting penalty, only to blast it high over the
bar.
United's starting lineup: Van der Sar, Simpson, Ferdinand, O'Shea,
Evra, Eagles, Fletcher, Anderson, Nani, Ronaldo, Tevez.
