This article contains adult content that may be inappropriate for minors. Please confirm that you are 18 years or older to continue. This article contains images or details that some readers may find disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. Al Ittihad, managed by Sérgio Conceição, was eliminated from the final of the King’s Cup of Saudi Arabia this Wednesday, losing to Al Kholood in a penalty shootout (5-4) after a 2-2 draw at the end of extra time. Al Ittihad – with Danilo and Roger Fernandes in the starting lineup – took the lead twice but always allowed the opponent to respond. The first setback for Conceição came just 12 minutes in, with the injury of Mahamadou Doumbia, who was replaced by Moussa Diaby. Interestingly, it was the newly entered Diaby who opened the scoring in the 40th minute, assisted by Steven Bergwijn. The Jeddah team's lead lasted until the 73rd minute when Al Aliwa equalized, taking the game into extra time. In extra time, Al Ittihad again took the lead. In the 96th minute, Steven Bergwijn, who had already assisted the first goal, scored to make it 2-1. However, Al Kholood's resilience showed again, and in the 111th minute, Adam Berry, a Manchester United academy graduate, scored a stunning goal that forced a penalty shootout. In the shootout, luck favored the home team. Aouar missed for Al Ittihad, but a mistake from Al Kholood later took the decision to 'sudden death.' Kortajarena scored for Al Kholood, but Moussa Diaby, who had been a hero in regular time, missed the sixth penalty and sealed the elimination of Sérgio Conceição's team. It is worth noting that Al Ittihad was the trophy holder. In the other semi-final, Al Hilal and Al Ahli also decided their passage to the final on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Théo Hernández scored for Al Hilal – with Rúben Neves – in the 39th minute, and Ivan Toney equalized for Al Ahli from the penalty spot in the 81st minute. In the penalty shootout, Hilal prevailed 4-2, with Rúben Neves and former Benfica player Marcos Leonardo among the scorers. Thus, Al Kholood and Al Hilal will meet in the final.
Squanders Lead Faces Maximum Punishment remains central to this story.
Squanders Lead Faces Maximum Punishment remains central to this story.
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