Al Nassr struggled without captain Cristiano Ronaldo as they began their revamped Asian Champions League campaign with a 1-1 draw against Al Shorta in Iraq on Monday.
The Portuguese star did not travel to Baghdad due to a viral infection, the club announced a day prior to the match. Ronaldo’s absence was keenly felt by the Saudi side, who were eliminated in last season’s quarter-finals by eventual champions Al Ain.
Al Nassr took an early lead when Sultan Al Ghannam latched onto a clever pass from Otavio, slotting the ball past Al Shorta goalkeeper Ahmed Basil in the 14th minute. However, the hosts equalised just 10 minutes later after a defensive miscommunication between new signings Salem Al Najdi and Mohamed Simakan allowed Mohammed Dawood to strike a fine shot past Al Nassr’s goalkeeper, Bento.
Meanwhile, Saudi club Al Ahli secured a narrow 1-0 victory at home against Iran’s Persepolis. Ivory Coast international Franck Kessie scored in the second minute, converting an assist from Riyad Mahrez. Persepolis were denied a penalty after a VAR review overturned the initial decision, while Mahrez missed a spot-kick for Al Ahli in the second half after Ivan Toney was fouled in the box.
Toney, a recent signing from Brentford, made his Asian football debut in the match but missed a late chance to score, dragging his shot wide just five minutes from time.
Elsewhere, reigning champions Al Ain began their title defence with a 1-1 draw against Qatar’s Al Sadd, while Iran’s Esteghlal comfortably beat Qatari side Al Gharafa 3-0.
The Asian Champions League’s new format now features 24 teams, with 12 clubs from West Asia and 12 from East Asia. Each side will play eight matches – four at home and four away – with the top eight teams from each region advancing to the knockout stages early next year.