Gamba Osaka deny Ronaldo and Al-Nassr to win Asian Champions League Two in Riyadh

Gamba Osaka claimed the Asian Champions League Two title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Al-Nassr in Riyadh on Saturday, denying Cristiano Ronaldo and the Saudi Pro League leaders in the continent's second-tier club competition.

Deniz Hummet proved the decisive figure, turning inside the area to slot Issam Jebali's through pass into the bottom corner in the 30th minute, earning the Japanese side their second continental honour — their first coming 18 years ago when they lifted the Asian Champions League.

The result prolongs Ronaldo's wait for silverware since his arrival at Al-Nassr in 2023 following the mutual termination of his Manchester United contract, though the Saudi side remain well-placed domestically, holding a two-point lead in the Saudi Pro League with one round of fixtures to play.

Al-Nassr dominated large stretches of the match at the King Saud University Stadium but were repeatedly frustrated by Gamba's 18-year-old goalkeeper Rui Araki, who produced a series of sharp interventions to preserve the lead. The teenager palmed away Abdulrahman Ghareeb's early effort in the seventh minute, while Sadio Mane clipped the side-netting shortly after as the Saudi side made a bright start. Ghareeb went close again just before half-time, and Ronaldo glanced a stoppage-time header wide with his side in the ascendancy.

The post denied Al-Nassr further hope in the 77th minute when Joao Felix struck from distance with Araki finally beaten, and a brilliant last-ditch block from Gamba defender Takeru Kishimoto denied Ronaldo's teammate with six minutes remaining after a clever backheel from the Portuguese forward had created a momentary opening.

SportsLigue