Al Nassr faced challenges without Cristiano Ronaldo in their match against Al Shorta in the Asian Champions League, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Ronaldo missed the game due to a viral infection, allowing Al Shorta to equalize after Al Nassr took an early lead.
On the other hand, Al Ahli secured a 1-0 victory against Persepolis, with new signing Ivan Toney making his Asian football debut. Despite missing a penalty, Toney showed promise for his new team.
Defending champions Al Ain started their title defense with a 1-1 draw against Al Sadd, while Esteghlal defeated Al Gharafa 3-0. The revamped Asian Champions League format includes 24 teams from both West Asia and East Asia, playing a total of eight matches each before advancing to the knockout stages.
Exciting matches and unexpected outcomes marked the beginning of the tournament, showcasing the talent and competitiveness of teams across the region.
© 2024 AFP
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