Qatar’s Al-Sadd Draws; Ronaldo-Less Al-Nassr Held in Asian Champions League
In a night of intense football action, Qatar’s Al-Sadd secured a 1-1 draw against Al-Wasl in Dubai, while Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, playing without their star forward Cristiano Ronaldo, was held to a goalless draw by Iran’s Esteghlal in Tehran.
Al-Sadd vs. Al-Wasl: A Tight Contest
The first leg of the Asian Champions League Elite last 16 clash between Al-Sadd and Al-Wasl unfolded at Dubai’s Zabeel Stadium. The home side, Al-Wasl, took an early lead in the 3rd minute when captain Ali Saleh capitalized on a defensive lapse by Al-Sadd, striking the ball past goalkeeper Meshaal Barsham following a corner delivered by Nicolas Gimenez.
Despite gaining the early advantage, Al-Wasl squandered opportunities to extend their lead. Notably, Saleh missed a clear chance from close range, shooting over the bar from four yards out. Al-Sadd, on the other hand, gradually settled into the game, creating some dangerous moments. They nearly equalized in first-half injury time when Rafa Mujica’s powerful shot bounced off the turf and rattled the crossbar.
The much-needed equalizer for Al-Sadd arrived in the 68th minute. Substitute Abdullah Al-Yazidi, who had been introduced to inject energy into the attack, connected with an in-swinging cross from Akram Afif, steering his header past goalkeeper Khaled Al-Senaani. The game remained evenly contested, with Al-Wasl’s Fabio Lima later hitting the crossbar with a header. With neither team able to find a winner, the match ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving everything to play for in the second leg.
Esteghlal vs. Al-Nassr: A Goalless Encounter
Meanwhile, in Tehran, Esteghlal hosted Al-Nassr at the Azadi Stadium. The Saudi Arabian side was without their talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not travel with the team. Despite his absence, Al-Nassr began with intensity, looking to take control early on. Midfielder Marcelo Brozovic nearly broke the deadlock within the first five minutes, but his shot sailed just wide.
Colombian striker Jhon Duran came close to scoring in the 14th minute when he found himself one-on-one with Esteghlal goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini. However, Hosseini reacted quickly to make a crucial save, and Ayman Yahya’s follow-up attempt was heroically cleared off the line by defender Rouzbeh Chesmi.
Esteghlal did not sit back and created several threatening chances of their own. Ramin Rezaeian’s header was narrowly off target, while Kyrgyz striker Joel Kojo had a golden opportunity in the final moments of the game but failed to direct his header on target. Al-Nassr pressed forward in search of a late winner, with Duran hitting the post from a tight angle after dribbling past Hosseini. However, neither side could break the deadlock, and the match concluded in a 0-0 draw, setting up an intense second leg in Riyadh.
Impact of Ronaldo’s Absence
Cristiano Ronaldo’s absence was one of the biggest talking points of the match. Al-Nassr has struggled without their star player this season, winning only one out of six games in his absence. His leadership, goal-scoring ability, and experience in crucial moments have been vital for the Saudi club, both in domestic competitions and on the continental stage. Without him, Al-Nassr lacked their usual attacking fluidity and finishing edge. Fans are hopeful that he will return for the second leg to help his team advance to the quarterfinals.
Looking Ahead: The Crucial Second Legs
Both ties remain finely balanced, with the second legs scheduled for next week. Al-Sadd will host Al-Wasl in Doha, aiming to capitalize on their away goal advantage. A win at home would secure their passage to the quarterfinals, while Al-Wasl will need an inspired performance to progress.
Meanwhile, Al-Nassr will welcome Esteghlal to Riyadh in what promises to be a thrilling decider. With the home crowd behind them, the Saudi giants will be aiming to break through Esteghlal’s solid defensive setup. Should Ronaldo return, his presence could be the game-changer they need.
The Asian Champions League continues to deliver high-stakes drama as teams from across the continent battle for supremacy. With the second-leg fixtures fast approaching, fans can expect more exciting moments and intense football action.
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