However, the match provided an excellent preparation for the tests to come in this 16-nation tournament.Īustralia started brightly and were soon asking questions of the West Asians, who have not had success in this tournament since 1988 - when it also took place in Thailand - though Al-Jadaani’s low shot from outside the box zipped just past the post.īoth goalkeepers had their moments. With four minutes remaining, Nawaf Al-Jadaani added a second to seal the win and the points, though it was far from an easy game for the victors, who were a little more clinical in attack than their opponents. We deserve it, what a season.”ĬHONBURI: Saudi Arabia kicked off their U-17 Asian Cup campaign with a crucial 2-0 victory over Australia in Thailand on Friday, a perfect start that provides a solid platform for progress to the quarterfinals.Īfter both teams had had their chances, the breakthrough came from Nawaf Al-Bishri, who found the target just before the hour. “It was a new culture for me and I arrive now scoring the most important goal in the history of this club. “It’s a victory of many years of work at this amazing club.”Ībout his own special moment and time at City, Rodri said: “They trusted me to come here, even though the change wasn’t easy. I said to Khaldoon, ‘This is the work of 10, 15 years behind us.’ I’m inside the club and I know how big this chairman is. “We take the fruits (of their labor) and this victory is for all of them. “I said when I finished the game I don’t want to forget players like Fernandinho, Sergio (Aguero), David Silva, (Vincent) Kompany - many players who had been working eight, nine, 10 years at this club to help it arrive at this level. Guys like Erling (Haaland), 22-year-olds, and the lads coming now, we have a very good squad for the next years.
“The good point is we won, but we created a culture and we won more. You have to keep going and keep going and in the end God gave this amazing present for all of us. “I think this talks a little bit about life - you have to try and push, even though some years it’s not been fair for us,” Rodri said. They have faced setbacks, scrutiny, unlucky moments and obstacles, with Financial Fair Play investigations and charges from UEFA and the Premier League, which they have denied. Rodri also praised chairman Khaldoon Al-Mubarak and past City heroes for helping to pave the way to fulfil this dream, which was only deemed possible after Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, deputy prime minister of the UAE, bought the club in 2008. “We can trust in ourselves that we did it and this is what teams like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, AC Milan - these kind of clubs - did in the past. “For me, and I said this before the game, it was so important to win against Inter because we can build a legacy for the future. The Spaniard’s sweetly struck effort proved the difference against Inter Milan in Istanbul.īut Rodri, 26, wants City to now dominate European football and create a dynasty like 14-time winners Real Madrid or seven-time European champions AC Milan. Having scored the goal that delivered Manchester City an elusive first Champions League, Rodri challenged his team-mates to win more to emulate Europe’s greatest teams.
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