Doha: In less than a quarter, the modern stars of Pele’s beautiful game — Messi, Suarez and Neymar (MSN) — scored a goal apiece, but Al Ahli Saudi FC boosted by the presence of UAE’s ace midfielder Omar Abdul Rahman fought back before going down 5-3 to Barcelona in a friendly at Doha’s Gharafa Stadium on Tuesday.
At half-time, the Catalans were leading 3-0 but, once the MSN were cooling their legs in the dugout, Al Ahli Saudi riding on a brace from Muhannad Assiri and a penalty conversion from Omar Abdul Rahman came back strongly into the match, but Barca’s Paco Alcacer and Rafinha made the match safe.
By the time Al Ahli’s guest star and Asian Player of the Year took to the field, Barca had called back Messi, Suarez and Neymar and the fans were deprived of the much-awaited contest between MSN and the Al Ain dynamo.
Abdul Rahman, popularly known as Amoory, however, was determined to leave his mark and he was in business just before the half-time whistle as he sent a defence-splitting pass that left the Barca defenders rooted to their positions. The pinpoint pass only needed a clinical touch but an unmarked Omar Al Soma ended up shooting wide.
Soon after the change of ends, Amoory got on the scoreline thanks to another ingenious move he set in motion. His precise lob found Mohammad Aman, who was brought down by Barca goalkeeper Jordi Masip, his hands brushing Aman’s foot. Referee Fahad Jaber Al Merri had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Amoory then chipped home coolly to trigger celebrations amongst the Al Ahli fans.
With their pride dented, Barca pumped in two goals in the space of three minutes. Alcacer, who came in place of Neymar, scored his first goal for Barca before Rafinha made it 5-1. Al Ahli then reduced the margin again, this time Assiri scoring from a tight angle to make it 5-2. Al Ahli coach Christian Jurgen Goss then substituted Amoory, who in all managed 34 minutes on field.
Assiri subsequently found the net again to reduce the margin to 5-3. With the home side growing in confidence, Barca then chose not to press forward and were content on tightening their defence till the end to avoid any further embarrassment.
Messi meets his biggest fan
Earlier, Messi met with the Afghan boy who became an internet sensation early this year when pictures of him playing near his home in Afghanistan’s eastern Ghazni province were widely circulated. The boy, Murtaza Ahmadi, was seen in the picture wearing a Lionel Messi jersey made out of a plastic bag. The six-year-old finally got to meet his idol in person on Tuesday when he was specially flown in from Afghanistan to Qatar for the friendly. The Argentine superstar had sent Murtaza a signed jersey and football when the latter made headlines and also promised to meet him in person.
On Tuesday, Murtaza walked out onto the field with the five-time world player of the year and received a big hug from his hero.
“I’m very happy to have met my hero. It is a dream for me. I can’t wait to see Messi at the game, it will be the first time for me in the stadium. I’m very happy to have met my hero. It is a dream for me,” said a beaming Murtaza.
