Brazilian superstar Neymar returned to action on Monday after more than a year out. The Al Hilal forward came on as a second-half substitute in his side's 5-4 win over Asian champions Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates. The 32-year-old from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain had not played since tearing the meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during an international match last October. Neymar, who has undergone surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period, is his country's all-time leading goalscorer with 79 goals in 128 appearances.
Called upon the Al Hilal bench for the first time since his injury, he was introduced in the 76th minute of the Asian champions' elite clash at the Hazzan Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. At that point, the four Asian champions, who lead the current Saudi Pro League, led 5-3, thanks to goals from Renan Lodi and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and a hat-trick from Salem Al Dawsari. Neymar will not be able to register in the Saudi Premier Division before January.
"I have to prepare Neymar with the games, it's the only possible way to bring him to his level, which was the idea today," said Hilal coach Jorge Jesus.
"There are risks for the team because we have to use the games to prepare him, but this is the only way to find one of our important players at the highest level," added the Portuguese coach.
On Monday, Hilal opened the scoring in the 26th minute. Former Newcastle United and Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic played in Lodi on the left, and the former Atlético Madrid defender fired over Khalid Essa to score for Al Ain. But Hernan Crespo's men equalized six minutes before the break, thanks to a cross from Moroccan Soufiane Rahimi.
Rahimi was the star of Al Ain's success in the Asian Champions League last season, finishing as top scorer and being voted player of the tournament.
In injury time of the first half, Hilal seemed to have gained the upper hand over their UAE rivals.
First, Joao Cancelo, a summer recruit from Manchester City, crossed for Milinkovic-Savic, who headed home, having not scored for six years. Moments later, Al Dawsari, the reigning Asian Player of the Year, managed to break through the Al Ain defense, round Essa, and score brilliantly from a corner. Al Ain reduced the gap just after the hour through Mateo Sanabria, but Al Dawsari scored his second of the evening from a Milinkovic-Savic cross.
Minutes later, Rahimi scored his brace as the match took another turn. Then Al Dawsari gave Hilal the lead again with a superb long-range strike.
Just after the 12th minute of added time, and with Hilal reduced to 10 men after defender Ali Al Bulaihi was sent off for a deliberate handball, Rahimi won and converted a penalty to secure his hat-trick and give Al Ain hope , but the Saudi Arabian Champions held on to claim victory.
Neymar was not given the chance to influence the game decisively, though he nearly curled one on the outside of the boot in stoppage time of the first half.
Hilal is at the summit of the Western region group, and has won all three matches while Al Ain has only one point in the account.
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