In the AFC Champions League group stage, striker Neymar Jr. scored his first goal for Al Hilal with a perfect finish against Nassaji Mazandaran.
Neymar was anticipated to shine after transferring from PSG to Al Hilal, but the Brazilian star had a disappointing first period.Apart from aiding compatriot Malcom to score in his debut match, the player wearing the number 10 shirt for Al Hilal’s offensive front makes little impression.
The most costly contract in international football history failed in Al Hilal’s first four matches, including three in the Saudi Pro League. Neymar, on the other hand, had his most brilliant performance in Saudi Arabia, shining in Al Hilal’s 3-0 triumph in the second match of the AFC Champions League group stage with a goal in minute 58 to raise the score to 2- 0.
Before Neymar produced a run and a beautiful cross-angle shot, teammate Nasser Aldawsari ripped through the Mazandaran defense, allowing the Brazilian star to write his name on the electronic board.Al Hilal’s other two goals came from former Fulham players Aleksandar Mitrovic (18th minute) and Saleh Alshehri (90+3 minutes).
Neymar was previously taken aback by the state of the pitch at Azadi Stadium, as groundskeepers were seen putting thin pieces of turf on top of bare concrete.The field, however, was maintained throughout the encounter, and the reigning AFC Champions League runner-up had little trouble defeating the Iranian club and rising to the top of Group D with 4 points.
Neymar will now try to maintain his scoring streak in the Saudi Pro League when Al-Hilal face Al-Akhdoud away from home on Saturday before returning to Brazil for the international series in mid-October.