Brazilian goalkeeper Bento Mateus of Al-Nassr’s first football team demonstrated his skills by passing the ball to his teammate, defender Ali Lajami, during a friendly match against the Portuguese team Farense on Saturday. This match was a key part of the pre-season training camp for the upcoming season. Held at the “De São Luís” stadium in the Algarve region of Portugal, the match ended in a 1-1 draw. Bento Mateus, making his debut for Al-Nassr, started his journey by conceding a goal from Farense during this friendly match.
Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca was the standout player for Al-Nassr, scoring the only goal for coach Luís Castro’s squad with a powerful shot from outside the penalty area in the 32nd minute. This goal leveled the score after Farense’s initial lead, ensuring a balanced first half. Coach Luís Castro fielded a strong lineup that included Bento Mateus, Sultan Al-Ghannam, Ali Lajami, Abdulelah Al-Amri, Brazilian Alex Telles, Abdullah Al-Khaibari, Portuguese Otávio Monteiro, Sami Al-Najei, Talisca, Senegalese Sadio Mane, and Mohammed Maran—this strategic selection aimed to test various combinations and player dynamics.
In the second half, the coach made significant changes, executing ten substitutions in three phases. Notably, Bento Mateus was replaced by his teammate Raghid Najjar in the 62nd minute. Despite these changes, both teams managed to keep their nets clean throughout the second half, showcasing strong defensive skills. Interestingly, this 1-1 draw was the second for Al-Nassr during their current camp. Previously, they ended their match with Portuguese side Louletano with the same scoreline. Between these two draws, Al-Nassr secured a victory over Marítimo of Portugal with a goal from Telles in their second friendly match.
Looking ahead, Al-Nassr’s set to face Portimonense of Portugal in their fourth pre-season friendly on July 24th. This upcoming match will be another crucial step in their preparation for the next season, allowing them to refine their tactics and build stronger team cohesion.
