Masharipov sends Al Nassr into Asian Champions League semi-finals

Al Nassr will now meet compatriots Al Hilal on Tuesday in a Riyadh derby after the three-time champions saw off Iranian giants Persepolis 3-0 in the second quarter-final from AFC's western zone.

The AFC were forced to play the quarter-finals in a single-leg format after the Covid-19 pandemic played havoc with the scheduling. Masharipov, who joined Al Nassr from Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor this year, had vowed to do his best in the match.

"I promise our fans that I will give my best and so will all of my teammates to meet the fans' expectations and ambitions," he told the AFC website on Friday. And sure enough the 28-year-old delivered in style, first by providing the assist for Abderazzak Hamdallah to score Al Nassr's opening goal in the seventh minute and then booting home the second seven minutes after the break.