Christiano Ronaldo’s Al Nasar visited Iran in the Asian Champions League next week, with one in three from Saudi Arabia in the final 16 of the top club competition in the region. Saudi teams dominated the West Zone League stage of the tournament, with four times Asian champions Al Hilal led Al Ahli and Al Nasar in the top three in the final three. Saudi Arabia has shook football by spending heavily on Europe’s stars, starting with Ronaldo’s move at the end of 2022, and the Desert Nation will host the World Cup in 2034.
Al Hilal, the last side from Saudi Arabia to win the Champions League in 2021, topped the league stage at a goal margin with an unbeaten in both eight matches from Al Ahali.
Al Nasar clarified the five points of Al Sadd, who finished fourth, and Ronaldo’s side took Estaghlal of Iran on the first two legs in Tehran on Monday.
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United star Ronaldo scored six goals in the league stage and are still getting stronger at the age of 40.
A first Asian crown will be included in a bulging trophy slope which already includes five UEFA Champions League titles.
The Portuguese is inducted into Al Nasar by Colombian striker Jhone Duran, although the signature of large funds from Aston Villa was sent during the Saudi League game last week.
The Red Card impressed Ronaldo, who exited the referee and booted the ball into the stand before removing it with the authorities.
Coach Stephano Pioli would need to hold his head against Estagelal, who beat Al Nasar 1–0 in the league stage, which was a late goal from the former Defender Aymerik Laporte, former Defender of Manchester City.
“We should try to improve every day because we have not yet reached the level where we can compare ourselves with the first level of world football,” Poly said.
Al Hilal can no longer call on Neymar’s services of Brazil, but he will still start as a huge favorite in his final -16 tie against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtkor.
Al Ahali, meanwhile, saw the three three in front of Ivan Tony of England, Roberto Fermino of Brazil and Riyadh Mahrez of Algeria, all enjoy the form that scored goals in league stage.
German coach Maithius Jaisley will need to continue in the final 16 against Al Ryan of Qatar.
“We achieved a historical record in this version without defeat, and it is not easy,” he said.
“We have the support of fans and we are eager to win this tournament.”
Japanese club leads the former
The Japanese sides led the route in the league stage of the eastern zone, with the runner-up Yokohama F-Marino of the last season, the topping was topped on the table ahead of the compatriot Kawasaki Frontley.
Yokohama, now trained by former England assistant Steve Holland, former England of Gareth Southgate, plays at the Shanghai port of China in the last 16.
Kawasaki is facing Shanghai Sheenhua, while a third Japanese team, domestic champion Visel Kobe, leads to Guangju in South Korea.
At least one non-Japanese team is guaranteed to move forward in the eastern region, in which Johor Darul Tazim of Malaysia held a meeting of Buriram United, Thailand.
Johor’s Argentina coach Hector Bidoglyo is still impressed by his team’s performance.
“Before the introduction of the competition, we set our goal to qualify for the next phase,” he said he won 5–2 over South Korea’s Pohng Steelers.
“But now we are not only eligible, but we have done this by showing our type of football.”
The final -16 games are played on two legs, with the winners undergo the final stage to be played in Saudi Arabia in April and May.
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