Big-spending Saudi clubs including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr are dominating the Asian Champions League Elite, accounting for all but one of the semifinalists in action this week.
In three quarterfinals played on the weekend, the three Saudi Pro League teams won with a combined scoreline of 14-1. At least one is guaranteed a place in the final on May 3 as four-time champion Al-Hilal meets two-time finalist Al-Ahli in the first of the two semis at Jeddah.
On Wednesday, Al-Nassr takes on Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, the only non-Saudi club still in contention for the continental title. Kawasaki edged 2011 champion Al Sadd of Qatar 3-2 after extra time on Sunday to advance to the semifinals for the first time.
With all playoff games taking place in Jeddah, there is home advantage and big crowds supporting the three domestic clubs that are laden with high-profile international stars.
In the summer transfer window of 2023, Saudi clubs spent almost $1 billion and it’s making a difference in Asian competition.
Al-Nassr thumped last season’s runnerup Yokohama F.Marinos of Japan 4-1 on Saturday, with goals coming from Ronaldo, former Liverpool star Sadio Mane and two from Jhon Duran, who signed from Premier League club Aston Villa in January in a deal reportedly worth more than $80 million.
“When you come here, the teams are playing Premier League-level football,” Yokohama’s interim coach Patrick Kisnorbo said. “I don’t think it’s a technical issue but sometimes these things happen. We have to move forward.”
The journey to Jeddah was also a punishing one for teams in the middle of domestic seasons in East Asia.
“Our local league is our priority,” Buriram United coach Osmar Loss said after his Thai club lost 3-0 to Al-Ahli on Saturday. “It’s a long trip to Jeddah and back and I needed to protect our main players.”
In the most lopsided of the quarterfinals, South Korean club Gwangju FC, making its first appearance in the tournament, was thrashed 7-0 by Al-Hilal on Friday.
Al-Hilal now faces Jeddah club Al-Ahli on Tuesday in a bid to reach its 10th title match in the Asian competition. Al-Ahli, fourth in the domestic league, had a 3-2 win over Al-Hilal in February with all three goals scored by England striker Ivan Toney.
With other former Premier League stars such as Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino on the scoresheet against Buriram United, coach Matthias Jaissle believes Al-Ahli is well placed to advance to a third final and then to capture a first title.
“I congratulated the players for making it to the semifinals but from now on, they have to focus on what’s best – rehabilitate, rest, and get back to the best physical level to perform against Al Hilal,” Jaissle said. “Everyone knows it’s going to be an intense match and we need to be in top shape.”
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr is chasing silverware in the Asian Champions League Elite
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Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr is chasing silverware in the Asian Champions League Elite
- With all playoff games taking place in Jeddah, there is home advantage and big crowds supporting the three domestic clubs that are laden with high-profile international stars
- In the summer transfer window of 2023, Saudi clubs spent almost $1 billion and it’s making a difference in Asian competition
Hosts Morocco set up Senegal AFCON final showdown
- Hosts Morocco will play Sadio Mane’s Senegal in this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations final after both emerged victorious in tense last-four ties on Wednesday as Mohamed Salah’s dreams of winning
RABAT: Hosts Morocco will play Sadio Mane’s Senegal in this weekend’s Africa Cup of Nations final after both emerged victorious in tense last-four ties on Wednesday as Mohamed Salah’s dreams of winning the title were again dashed.
Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties after their semifinal showdown of few chances in capital Rabat finished 0-0 at the end of extra time, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou performing heroics by saving twice in the shoot-out.
Bounou, of Saudi side Al-Hilal, saved from Samuel Chukwueze and Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations among over 65,000 fans inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.
As well as joy there was relief for Hamza Igamane, who had appeared distraught after his kick — Morocco’s second in the shoot-out — was saved by Nigeria goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
He was the only Moroccan player to fail to score in the shoot-out, however, with captain and talisman Achraf Hakimi among those who converted their penalties.
“It was one of the hardest matches we have had against a very solid and talented team,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui, who played in the last Atlas Lions team to reach the AFCON final when they lost to Tunisia in 2004.
“I am very happy for the players and for the Moroccan people who really deserve this.
“It is a great gift for them to be in the final but we will need to recover quickly because we put a lot of energy into the game.”
The shoot-out came after a cagey encounter, with almost all the chances of note coming in the first half and Nigeria mustering just two shots in the entire game.
Morocco have been under enormous pressure to deliver a first AFCON title for their country in half a century and just their second overall.
However, as their dream remains alive it is an agonizing way for Nigeria’s hopes to end, two years after they lost the final to the hosts in Ivory Coast.
Led by two recent winners of the African player of the year prize in Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria had been arguably the best team at the tournament up to the semifinals and the top scorers with 14 goals in their first five matches.
“The players fought for every ball and it is difficult to lose on penalties, but this is football and we have to accept it,” said Nigeria coach Eric Chelle.
He added: “I am proud of my players but I am disappointed for them because the reality is we were maybe the best team that there has been in this AFCON.”
Mane ends Salah’s dream
Earlier, Mane scored a 78th-minute winner to give Senegal a 1-0 victory over Egypt in Tangiers, then said he was playing in the tournament for the last time.
“I’m very happy to be able to play in my very last AFCON. I hope to win it (the final) and bring (the trophy) back to Dakar,” the 33-year-old said.
Senegal, champions in 2022, dominated possession against cautious Egypt as the Cup of Nations title continues to elude Liverpool superstar Salah.
This was Salah’s fifth AFCON and the closest he has come to a winners’ medal is finishing a runner-up twice.
It will be Senegal’s fourth Cup of Nations final appearance overall and their third in the last four editions.
“I think we managed the game well from start to finish and, overall, we deserved to win. We’ll try to be ready for the final, above all to give our best,” said Mane.
“The most important thing for me is that Senegal wins every time... I am a soldier of the nation. I try to give my all every day, whether in training or in matches.
“The Africa Cup of Nations is the most difficult competition in the world. All the teams are evenly matched.”
Referring to his former Liverpool teammate Salah, Mane said the Egyptian is “one of the best players in the world.”
The goal that decided the game came with 12 minutes remaining, as Mane’s low shot flew past the goalkeeper and into the net.
