Four Saudi Pro League Clubs in Continental Action in the AFC Champions League Elite and the AFC Champions League Two Starting This Week
Asian football will welcome two newly formatted continental competitions, Al Hilal, Al Nassr, Al Ahli Saudi, and Al Taawoun, taking part. The first three teams will be among the twenty-four teams fighting it out for the AFC Champions League Elite, which has replaced the AFC Champions League. Al Taawoun will be among the 32 teams contesting the AFC Champions League Two, which replaces the AFC Cup.
Under the new format, the AFC Champions League Elite will now comprise 24 teams, down from the previous 40. The participants will be split into two club groups of 12 representing East and West Asia. Each team will have the chance to rank in the top eight to qualify for the round of 16 by playing eight matches.
First, we have Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, who faced Iraq’s Al Shorta on Monday night. Due to a viral infection, the five-time UEFA Champions League winner was not part of the matchday squad, which managed a 1-1 draw. The match also saw Marcelo Brozović exit early due to an injury. Also, on Monday night, Al Ahli Saudi managed a 1-0 win against Iranian side Persepolis.
On Tuesday night, domestic champions Al Hilal will line up against Al Rayyan from Qatar. Al Hilal will be looking for a better campaign this season after crashing out in the semi-finals last season.
In the AFC Champions League Two, 32 sides will be split into eight groups of four, with the top two progressing to the round of 16. Al Taawoun are the only Saudi Pro League representative and will be facing Al Khaldiya away in Bahrain on Wednesday.
