RIYADH: The stage is set for the first AFC Women’s Champions League matches to take place in Saudi Arabia, with Women’s Premier League champions Al-Nassr preparing to become the first women’s side from the Kingdom to take part in the competition.
The Riyadh club will make their debut in Group A of the competition’s preliminary stage on Sunday night at Al-Awwal Park against Myawady Women FC, the domestic champions of Myanmar.
The two-time Saudi Arabian league champions will then face Young Elephants of Laos and champions of the UAE’s domestic women’s league, Abu Dhabi Country Club, to round out the group.
Al-Nassr head coach Sandro Mendes believes his side have what it takes to compete in Asia’s premier women’s club competition.
“We know the teams we are facing, we’ve done our homework. We’ll take it game by game, but we are Al-Nassr and we’re ready to compete,” he said.
With the official start to the Saudi Arabian Women’s Premier League in September, Mendes’ side have prepared for the challenge of qualifying for the next stage of the top women’s club competition in Asian football.
“It’s our first official game of the season, but I believe we are ready. We’ve had a good preseason in Spain and added some strong international players with experience to the squad, so we hope to progress to the next stage.”
New signings to the Riyadh team include Brazilian defender Kathellen Sousa, who arrived during the summer window from Spanish side Real Madrid Femenino.
Sousa said: “From my few weeks of training with the team so far, it’s clear that Al-Nassr doesn’t just come to compete and take part. We’re ready to give our all in every match and obviously go for the win.”
The Brazilian international, who competed in last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League with her former club, is looking forward to the chance to make an impact on her debut in the club’s first appearance in Asia’s top women’s club competition.
“For me, every player wants to make history for the club. Every competition is different but at a big club, you always want to win and make history. So, hopefully, we can take the first step in this competition,” she said.
Organized by the Asian Football Confederation, the AFC Women’s Champions League is expected to usher in a new era of success and progress for women’s football in the years ahead, serving as the new premier continental competition for professional women’s clubs across the region. For the upcoming 2024-25 season, the inaugural edition will welcome the 21 domestic champions from AFC member associations.
