Matchdetails from Al Nasr - Liverpool played on Friday 26 May 1978 - LFChistory

Al Nasr

Liverpool

Goals

Notes

Testimonial for: Played to commemerate the opening of the new stadium of Al Nasr
Clemence, Neal, Jones, Hansen, Thompson, Hughes, Heighway, R. Kennedy, McDermott, Case, Fairclough (Irwin 9).

Opposition
Lineup: Ashruf Abdul Noor, Jamie Ahmed, Ahmed Korshid, Khalid Obeid, Mustafa Kassim, Rajab Abdul Rahman, Awn Mubarick, Mohamed Kassala, Fathil Santo, Ghanim Mubarick, Salem Abuch Nain
Subs: Hussein Farah, Abdul Rahman Naseeb, Abdul Rahim Karim, Abdul Karim

David Fairclough had to be replaced by Colin Irwin because of an injury sustained in the opening minutes. Sammy Lee was also a substitute in this match. Liverpool’s line-up was missing Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish, who had been called up by Scotland for the World Cup in Argentina.

Dubai welcomed the European champions to inaugurate Al Maktoum Stadium, the new home of Al Nasr. According to reports, ahead of kick off, the Dubai Defence Skydiving Team parachuted onto the field, landing in the centre circle. Ismail Al Baqri, chief of the sports section at Al Ahram newspaper praised the performance of Liverpool and, in particular, Ray Clemence. “[Liverpool’s] game is simple and fast, embedded in team spirit and without complications, entertaining the audience with technical moves,” Al Baqri wrote. “Though five goals were scored against Al Nasr, the team fought, sparing no effort. We shall not forget the alertness of the goalkeeper Clemence who stood strong as a dam, giving no chance to the attackers of Al Nasr.”