Al-Hilal fans honour Neves after controversy, midfielder scores and salutes in Asian opener | OneFootball

Goal.com reports that Al-Hilal supporters honoured Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves after a controversial incident in the Al-Taawoun game, and he responded by scoring against Qatar's Al-Gharafa in the club's first AFC Champions League Elite match.

As Tuesday's tie began at Kingdom Arena, a giant banner bearing the number eight, a nod to his shirt, was unveiled.

The tribute referenced an ugly moment in the Roshn Saudi Pro League meeting with Al-Taawoun, when opposition fans chanted the name of the late Diogo Jota, a close friend of Neves, to provoke him. He pointed skywards in apparent rebuke.

That league match, played last Saturday in the seventh round, finished 6-0 to Al-Hilal.

Neves then repaid the gesture on the continental stage, converting a penalty in first-half stoppage time into the far right corner. He sprinted to the stands to deliver a salute to the home end.

Source: Goal.com

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