Al-Nasr Saudi Arabia, looking to win its first title in history led by its Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo, have signed a strong group in the AFC Champions League, Qatar’s Al-Tuhail, Iran’s Persepolis and Tajikistan’s Independence. The draw was made today Thursday in Kuala Lumpur.

In addition to 5-time world player of the year Ronaldo, the “global” Senegalese striker Sadio Mane, who arrived last January with a huge contract, Croatian midfielders Marcelo Brozovic and Ivory Coast Chico Fobana, Brazilian full back Alex Telles and Portuguese midfielder Ottavio, and finally Spanish defender Emeric Laporte from Manchester City.

However, Al-Nasr escaped the championship after a late 4-2 win over Emirates’ Al-Ahly Youth two minutes before the end of normal time in last Tuesday’s qualifiers. .

Sultan Al-Khannam is in the right place 👌#AsiaChampionsLeague | #Winning_Young_Al-Ahly pic.twitter.com/FrMHf1br1d

– AFC Champions League (@theAFCCL_ar) August 22, 2023

Al-Nasr started its season well as it won the Arab Club Championship at home, but it had a very poor start in the local league, losing its first two matches.

Al-Nasr’s most notable participations were in 1995 when he finished as runner-up and in 2020 and 2021 when he reached the semi-finals.

The capital will face strong competition in Group E from 2018 and 2020 summer runners-up Persepolis and Al Tuhail, who are competing in the competition for the 11th time and are looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in its history. .

Can be easily set to crescent

As for Al-Hilal Saudi Arabia, the most successful Asian team with 4 crowns, the last of which was the signing of Brazilian star Neymar in 2019 and 2021, it falls into an easy fourth group on paper. First time participants were Mazandaran weavers of Iran, Mumbai city of India and Navpakor of Uzbekistan.

In addition to Neymar, the “leader” includes Portuguese midfielders Robin Neves, Serbian Serge Milinkovic-Savic, his compatriot Aleksandar Mitrovic, Moroccan international goalkeeper Yassin Bono and Brazilian winger Malcolm.

Al-Ittihad Saudi champion and continental championship twice (2004 and 2005), its new Frenchman Karim Benzema, will face the Iranian Shebahan and the Iraqi Air Force in the summer of 2007, 3 times AFC. Cup champion, and Uzbekistani “AGMC” in the third group.

“The General” bolstered his squad with fellow French defensive midfielder N’Golo Conte and Brazilian midfielders Fabinho and Portuguese Jota.

Fourth Saudi club Al-Fayha, participating for the first time, will meet in the first group, Uzbekistan’s champion Bakhtakor, a two-time semi-finalist in 2003 and 2004, former coach. Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine, Maxim Shatskyk and the people of Turkmenistan, participating for the second time in a row, was the champion of the first edition in Al-Ain UAE, 2004 with its modern structure. 2003.

In the second group, 1989 and 2011 champions Qatar Al-Saad, fifth-time participants Nassab of Uzbekistan, and two-time AFC Cup champions Al-Faisali of Jordan and United’s Sharjah were drawn. Arab Emirates.

Changing the format of the AFC Champions League

Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds won the last edition’s title at the expense of Al Hilal Saudi Arabia (1-1 and 1-0).

The 21st edition of the competition, with its modern format, is moving from spring to autumn for the first time as its dates extend from September 2023 to May 2024.

Participating clubs were divided into 10 groups, West Asian clubs into fifth groups and Eastern clubs into sixth to tenth groups.

At the end of the group stage, the top ten clubs from each group qualify for the round of 16, along with the three best second-placed clubs in each region.

The knockout rounds will be played from February to April 2024, with the finals scheduled for May 11 and May 18, 2024.

West Zone Draw:

Group A: Bakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Al Fayha (Saudi Arabia), Ahal (Turkmenistan), Al Ain (UAE).

Group B: Al Sadd (Qatar), Nassaf (Uzbekistan), Al Baisali (Jordan), Sharjah (UAE).

Group C: Al-Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Sepahan (Iran), Air Force (Iraq), AGMK (Uzbekistan).

Group D: Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Nasaki Mazandaran (Iran), Mumbai City (India), Nafbakr. (Uzbekistan).

Group E: Persepolis (Iran), Al Tuhail (Qatar), Esteghlal (Tajikistan), Al Nasr (Saudi Arabia).

East Zone Draw:

Group F: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea), Bangkok United (Thailand), Lion City Dealers (Singapore), Kitsee (Hong Kong).

Group G: Yokohama Marinos (Japan), Shandong Taishan (China), Gaya Iloilo (Philippines), Incheon United (South Korea).

Group H: Buriram United (Thailand), Fanforet Kofu (Japan), Melbourne City (Australia), Zhejiang (China).

Group N: Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan), Johor Darul Azim (Malaysia), Padum United (Thailand).

Group X: Wuhan Three Towns (China), Pohang Steelers (South Korea), Hanoi (Vietnam), Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan).