Ben Nasser Sent Off in First Match with Al Gharafa
Algerian international Ismaël Bennacer's debut with Al Gharafa did not go as hoped, as he was sent off in his first match for the team during a 2-1 loss to Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday evening in the first round of the AFC Champions League - West Zone.
The match saw significant controversy in the 33rd minute when Bennacer clashed with Al Hilal player Kriensio Samarfel, leading to both players receiving red cards.
According to circulating footage, the incident began when the Dutch player pushed one of Al Gharafa's players to the ground, prompting Bennacer to intervene quickly by grabbing the Al Hilal player by the hair, resulting in the referee sending off both players, leaving both teams with ten men.
The red card came early in Bennacer's first appearance with Al Gharafa, having recently joined the Qatari club after leaving AC Milan.
Despite the numerical disadvantage for both sides, Al Hilal managed to finish the first half leading 1-0, with the goal scored by Portuguese player Ruben Neves from a penalty in the third minute of stoppage time.
Sergey Milinković-Savić doubled the home side's lead in the 73rd minute, before Hassan Aladdin reduced the deficit for Al Gharafa in the 90+2 minute, but the Qatari team could not avoid defeat.
Another Algerian player, Adam Ounas, started for Al Gharafa before leaving the pitch in the 69th minute.
Meanwhile, Yacine Brahimi was absent from Al Gharafa's squad for this match, which ended with Al Hilal winning 2-1, leaving the Qatari team without points at the start of their Asian campaign.
