TOKYO: Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr travel to Iran in the Asian Champions League next week with his side one of three from Saudi Arabia in the last 16 of the region’s top club competition.
Saudi teams dominated the tournament’s West zone league stage, with four-time Asian champions Al-Hilal leading Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr in the top three in the final table.
Saudi Arabia has shaken up football by spending heavily on stars from Europe, starting with Ronaldo’s move in late 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 on goal difference from Al-Ahli with both unbeaten in eight matches.
Al-Nassr finished five points clear of fourth-placed Al-Sadd of Qatar and Ronaldo’s side take on Iran’s Esteghlal over two legs, the first in Tehran on Monday.
Former Real Madrid and Manchester United star Ronaldo scored six goals in the league stage and is still going strong at the age of 40.
A first Asian crown would add to a bulging trophy haul that already includes five UEFA Champions League titles.
The Portuguese has been joined at Al-Nassr by Colombian striker Jhon Duran, although the big-money signing from Aston Villa was sent off during a Saudi league game last week.
The red card infuriated Ronaldo, who lashed out at the referee and booted the ball into the stands before continuing to remonstrate with the officials.
Coach Stefano Pioli will need his players to keep their heads against Esteghlal, who Al-Nassr beat 1-0 in the league stage thanks to a late goal from former Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte.
“We must try to improve every day as we have not yet reached the level where we can compare ourselves with the first level of world football,” Pioli said.
Al-Hilal can no longer call on the services of Brazil’s Neymar but they will still start as heavy favorites in their last-16 tie against Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor.
Al-Ahli meanwhile saw their front three of England’s Ivan Toney, Brazil’s Roberto Firmino and Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez all enjoy goalscoring form in the league stage.
German coach Matthias Jaissle will need them keep it going in the last 16 against Qatar’s Al-Rayyan.
“We achieved a historic record in this edition without losing, and this is not easy,” he said.
“We have the support of the fans and we look forward to winning this tournament.”
Japanese sides led the way in the East zone’s league phase, with last season’s runners-up Yokohama F-Marinos topping the table ahead of compatriots Kawasaki Frontale.
Yokohama, now coached by Gareth Southgate’s former England assistant Steve Holland, play China’s Shanghai Port in the last 16.
Kawasaki face Shanghai Shenhua while a third Japanese team, the domestic champions Vissel Kobe, take on South Korea’s Gwangju.
At least one non-Japanese team is guaranteed to advance in the East zone, with Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim meeting Thailand’s Buriram United.
Johor’s Argentine coach Hector Bidoglio has been impressed with his team’s performances so far.
“Before the start of the competition we set our target to qualify for the next stage,” he said after they booked their place with a 5-2 win over South Korea’s Pohang Steelers.
“But now we have not only qualified but we did it by showing our type of football.”
Last-16 games are played over two legs, with the winners going through to a finals stage to be played in Saudi Arabia in April and May.
Ronaldo eyes Asian Champions League crown as Saudi sides resume campaigns in Round of 16
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Ronaldo eyes Asian Champions League crown as Saudi sides resume campaigns in Round of 16
- Al-Hilal topped the league stage on goal difference from Al-Ahli with both unbeaten in eight matches
- Al-Nassr finished five points clear of fourth-placed Al-Sadd of Qatar and Ronaldo’s side take on Iran’s Esteghlal over two legs, the first in Tehran on Monday
Alcaraz and Sabalenka set sights on Australian Open fourth round
- Spanish world number one Alcaraz came through a tough three-set arm-wrestle in round two
- Top seed Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, faces Russia-born Austrian Anastasia Potapova
MELBOURNE: Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka return to the Australian Open battlefield on Friday with fourth round berths at stake, joined in the fight by third seeds Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev.
Spanish world number one Alcaraz came through a tough three-set arm-wrestle in round two and faces another tricky encounter against French 32nd seed Corentin Moutet.
The 22-year-old has again been handed an afternoon match on Rod Laver Arena, once more following Sabalenka on to Melbourne Park’s center court.
The Belarusian top seed Sabalenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, faces Russia-born Austrian Anastasia Potapova to kick-off day six where temperatures are forecast to soar.
Alcaraz, who is bidding for a career Grand Slam of all four majors, said his testing 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 6-2 victory over Yannick Hanfmann in round two served him well.
“I’m still getting used to the conditions, getting used to playing better,” said the six-time Grand Slam winner.
“Just happy that I’m just improving every day after every match. So hopefully being better in the next round.”
Alcaraz has never gone past the quarter-finals in his four trips to Australia.
Should he beat Moutet, he will meet either American 19th seed Tommy Paul or Spanish 14th seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina to make the last eight once again.
Sabalenka, as the overwhelming favorite, was upset by Madison Keys in last year’s final but insists revenge is not her motivation.
“I look at each match as a new match, new opportunity. I have also been working really hard,” she said.
“For me, it doesn’t matter what was in the past. For me, it’s the new match.”
Like Sabalenka, Gauff has been impressive so far, saying she was “near perfect” in making the third round.
She faces fellow American Hailey Baptiste, ranked 70, on Margaret Court Arena.
World number three Gauff takes to the court after Russia’s three-time runner-up Daniil Medvedev, who lines up against Hungary’s Fabian Marozan.
Last year’s beaten finalist Zverev has dropped a set in both his opening two matches and will have a tough encounter in an evening clash on John Cain Arena against British 26th seed Cameron Norrie.
Women’s seventh seed Jasmine Paolini and men’s 10th seed Alexander Bublik are also in action.
Home hope and sixth seed Alex De Minaur has again been awarded the night match on center court, this time against dangerous American Frances Tiafoe.
Eighth seed Mirra Andreeva rounds out the day’s action on Rod Laver Arena in a clash with Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
