AFC Champions League: ‌Al-Nasr and Al-Saad Secure Valuable Points

Yesterday, Monday, the Saudi Al-Nasr team returned from Baghdad with a point as a result of a draw with⁤ the Iraqi ‍Police Club, in ​the absence ​of its “sick” star Cristiano Ronaldo, ⁢in the opening of the‍ first round of the AFC Elite​ Champions League‍ in its⁣ new version.

Al-Nasr played in the absence of Ronaldo, who ‍was absent‍ due ‍to ​a health illness, as his club announced on its account in “X” ⁣on Sunday,⁤ where it said:​ “The captain of the first team, Cristiano‌ Ronaldo, was⁣ exposed to a health illness (a viral infection), and ‌after‍ the club doctor followed up⁤ on his ‍condition, it was decided ⁣that he should ‌rest and not travel with the delegation today.”

Al-Nasr also​ missed ⁣Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte due to a​ ban following his red card against Al-Ain in⁢ the quarter-finals of the AFC‌ Champions League last ⁣season, in addition to Nawaf Al-Aqidi, Abdul Majid Al-Saliham,⁤ Majed Al-Saliham, Kashish, ⁤Ayman Yahya, and⁣ Sami Al-Nazi due to⁣ injury.

A Valuable⁢ Point for Al-Nasr

Al-Nasr took the ⁣lead in the 14th minute⁣ through Sultan⁢ Al-Ghanam, before‌ Muhammad ‍Daoud equalized for Al-Shorta ⁢(24). Al-Nasr’s Portuguese coach Luis ‌Castro ⁤included‌ Brazilian​ winger Angelo Gabriel early in the‍ second half of the match, replacing Abdul Rahman Gharib, to boost⁢ the attacking effectiveness and score the second‌ goal, to no avail,​ though.

A Valuable Point for ⁢Al-Saad

At Al Ain’s Hajja Bin​ Zayed Stadium, Al Sadd ⁢went ‍one goal apiece with their hosts, ⁣Al Ain, to snatch a‌ valuable point from the United Arab Emirates as the ‌Qatari league ⁣champions took an early lead ‌through Man of the Match at the 2023 Asian Cup, Akram Afif in the 45th minute ‍and Akram‍ Afif in the 80th ‌minute. Argentina’s Matias ⁣Palacios​ equalized for Al‍ Ain.

Al-Saad‌ were⁤ keen to play with ⁣balance against the⁢ champions ⁢of the last continental edition, relying on pragmatism and ‌focusing on defensive areas. On the other hand, ‌the advantage was ⁣relatively with the home‌ team as they relied on possession in the middle, possession of the ball and high pressing,‌ but Al Saad quickly succeeded ⁣in ‌imposing their style through the attacks of their striker ‌Akram Afif, which upset Al Ain’s back line.

Victory of Al-Ahli and Isteghlal

In Jeddah, the Saudi Al-Ahly team​ managed to secure a crucial victory ‌over Iranian visitors Persepolis thanks to ​an orphan ‌goal scored by Ivorian Frank Case⁢ in the second minute of the match. For the big win, it⁤ went to another Iranian side, Esteghlal Club, who ⁢hosted Qatar’s Al-Gharafa⁤ at Tehran’s Shahr Qods ​Stadium.

Esteghlal managed a clean hat-trick⁣ thanks ‍to goals from ​Abdullah Youssef, Ramin Rezaian, and Arash Rezvander in the 4th, 79th, and 88th minutes‌ to finish top of the West Asia group with three points and a goal difference over Al-Ahli ‍of Saudi Arabia.

New System for the ⁢AFC Champions League

This ⁤is ⁢the first edition⁤ of the AFC Champions League under the new system, as the continent was divided into an East Group and ‌a West Group, each with 12 clubs,‍ the second with⁢ all⁤ Arab clubs present. From each group, 8⁣ clubs will qualify for the ⁤round of 16, so the tournament‍ system‌ will move to the knockout stage.

Upcoming Matches

The second round of the Al-Gharb region competition will take place on September 30 and the next on October ⁣1, where on September 30 Al-Saad will meet Isteghlal⁣ in Doha, Iran’s Persepolis will meet Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in Isfahan, Al-Wasl ‍will meet⁢ Al-Ahly of Saudi Arabia in UAE and Al-Nasr of Saudi ⁢Arabia in Riyadh ‌and Al Rayyan⁣ in ⁣Saudi Arabia and on ​October 1 Al Hilal⁣ will ⁤meet Iraqi Police in ⁢Saudi Arabia and Al Gharafa Al UAE Law at Al Bayt World Cup Stadium.