In the early morning of September 19, Beijing time, the first round of Group D of the AFC Champions League group stage was played by Riyadh Crescent at home against Namangan. Unable to score in the first half under the Riyadh Crescent siege, Namangan scored single-handedly by Thoma in the second half with a counter-attack, and in the final moments, Riyadh Crescent relied on Ali Bleihi's goal to complete a 1-1 draw to avoid its first defeat of the new season.
As the team that has won the AFC Champions League the most times, Riyadh Crescent has won the cup four times, most recently in 2021, after introducing Neymar, Mitrovic and many stars in the summer window this year, the team is worth up to 220 million euros, becoming the most expensive team in the AFC Champions League, aiming for the championship.
Riyadh Crescent is currently in first place in the league and is now playing in the AFC Champions League group stage, opening up against Uzbekistan league side Namangan, sending Malcolm, Neymar and Mitrovic to form a striker trident in the starting line-up, which is Neymar's first start for his new club.
Originally a game without much suspense, Riyadh Crescent was blocked by opponents, and various shots flew away, including those of Malcolm, Neymar and Mitrovic, unable to break through the dense defensive formation.
Faced with a goal behind in the second half, Neymar was impatient and deliberately retaliated against his opponent for receiving a yellow card. At the last minute, Riyadh Crescent completed a desperate outbreak and scored a point with a draw.
As the biggest star of the game, Neymar ushered in the AFC Champions League debut, starting the whole game, no goals, no assists, mediocre performance, no chance to surpass Edinson Cavani, the two still scored the same 438 goals.
In this game, Neymar played more casually, did not show the strength of superstars, lost the ball many times, and the scene was ugly, which was a stark contrast to last weekend's performance of four goals in the league.
Detailed review of the competition——
In the 30th minute, Neymar took a free kick and the ball was easily confiscated by goalkeeper Josupov.
In the 45+1 minute, Neymar sent a wonderful pass, and finally Abdelhamid missed the opportunity with a close-range shot that deflected wide.
In the 52nd minute, Namangan counterattacked, and in a 2-4 situation, Ismailov assisted Thoma's one-handed push to score, and Riyadh Crescent trailed 1-0.
In the 54th minute, Neves' volley was saved directly by goalkeeper Josupo, and Riyadh Crescent continued to be unable to score.
In the 60th minute, Ismailov blocked a quick free kick and was pushed down by Neymar, who deliberately kicked the ball to the opponent, referee Hassan showed Neymar a yellow card, and Namangan's New Year players were also yellow.
In the 89th minute, Owes struck a solo goal from Namangan's New Year player, and Riyadh Crescent avoided conceding another goal.
In the 100th minute, Michael sent in a cross and Ali Bleigh's header from inside the box gave Riyadh Crescent a 1-1 equaliser.