Neymar returns for Al-Hilal in Al-Ain thriller

AL-AIN, United Arab Emirates — Brazil superstar Neymar returned to action on Monday following more than a year out, with the Al-Hilal forward appearing as a second-half substitute in his side's gripping 5-4 win against Asian champion Al-Ain in the UAE.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain attacker, 32, had not played since rupturing his meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee while on international duty in October last year.

Neymar, who underwent surgery and a sustained period of rehabilitation, is his country's all-time leading goal scorer, with 79 goals in 128 appearances.

Having moved to Saudi Arabia from French champion PSG for a reported 90 million euros ($97.8 million) transfer fee in August last year, Neymar had only played five games before his layoff as he was struggling with muscle injuries.

"I feel good, it's so hard. I always have a good team. But I'm so happy. I'm back," said an emotional Neymar after the game.

Named on the Al-Hilal bench for the first time since his injury, he was introduced on 76 minutes of the Asian Champions League encounter at a heaving Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al-Ain.

By then, the record four-time Asian champion, who leads the current Saudi Pro League, was 5-3 up, thanks to goals from Renan Lodi and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, and a Salem Al Dawsari hat-trick.

Neymar cannot be registered for the Saudi top-flight until January.

On Monday, Al-Hilal took the lead on 26 minutes, when former Newcastle United and Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic played in Lodi down the left, and the ex-Atletico Madrid fullback drilled a low shot past Khalid Essa in the Al-Ain goal.

However, Hernan Crespo's side drew level six minutes before halftime, Morocco international Soufiane Rahimi sliding home a cross.

Rahimi was the star of Al-Ain's Asian Champions League success last season, finishing top scorer and named player of the tournament.

In first-half stoppage-time, Al-Hilal seemed to take the contest away from its UAE rival.

First, Joao Cancelo, a summer signing from Manchester City, crossed for Milinkovic-Savic to head home unmarked from six years. Moments later, reigning Asian Player of the Year Al Dawsari raced cleared of the Al-Ain defense, skipped around the onrushing Essa and curled home superbly on the angle.

Al-Ain reduced the deficit just after the hour, through substitute Mateo Sanabria, only for Al Dawsari to flick home his second of the night from a Milinkovic-Savic center.

Minutes later, Rahimi notched his double as a seesaw clash took another swing. Al Dawsari then restored Al-Hilal's two-goal advantage with a sublime strike from range.

Not long into 12 minutes of the allotted injury-time, and with Al-Hilal reduced to 10 men after defender Ali Al-Bulaihi was sent off for an intentional handball, Rahimi won and converted a penalty to secure his hat-trick and give Al-Ain hope, but the Saudi champion hung on to claim the win.

Neymar had little time to truly impact the game, although he did flash wide an effort in the dying moments of normal time.

Al-Hilal sits top of the Western region group, with three victories from three while Al-Ain has picked up a solitary point.

AFP