AFC Champions League: Mané scores but Al-Nassr come up short in semifinal defeat

Al-Nassr FC/Facebook

It will NOT be an all-Saudi final in the AFC Champions League Elite after Sadio Mané and Al-Nassr fell to Kawasaki Frontale by a 2-3 score in Wednesday's semifinal. Mané did manage to score an excellent goal in the first half to restore parity after an early opener got the Japanese club off to a great start in Jeddah.

But despite the Senegalese superstar's best efforts, he did not get enough support from his fellow attacking stars. Cristiano Ronaldo and Jhon Duran went silent on the day.

Kawasaki Frontale were clinical with their opportunities despite Nassr's dominance of the ball. Brilliant work from Brazilian forward Erison set up Akihiro Ienaga for the Japanese side's third goal to put them beyond reach.

Saudi forward Ayman Yahya pulled one back for Nassr in the 87th minute but it was too little, too late. Mané and Al-Nassr will now turn their attention towards securing a place in next season's AFC Champions League Elite with five matches remaining in the Saudi Pro League campaign. Next Wednesday will see them host league leaders Al-Ittihad in Riyadh.

Mané has now scored in his last three matches, bringing the 33-year-old's totals to 12 goals and 10 assists in 42 appearances across all competitions. Nassr currently sit in third place in the Saudi top flight, eight points back of Ittihad and two points behind second place Al Hilal.