The revamped AFC Champions League Elite kicked off with an exciting encounter as Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr secured a 1-1 draw against Iraq's Al Shorta. Despite missing star player Cristiano Ronaldo due to a viral infection, Al Nassr showcased resilience on the field.
Captain Sultan Al-Ghannam put Al Nassr ahead in the 14th minute with a clinical finish. However, Al Shorta responded swiftly, with Mohammed Dawoud leveling the score just ten minutes later after a defensive miscommunication.
The match took a turn in the second half when Croatia international Marcelo Brozovic left the field injured, adding another challenge for Al Nassr. Looking ahead, Al Nassr is set to host Qatar's Al Rayyan on October 1st in their next AFC Champions Elite clash.
The AFC announced that the new season format reduces the competition from 40 to 24 teams, adopting a Swiss League format. The top eight teams from the 12-team leagues in East and West Asia will progress to the knockout rounds in March 2025, with the final stages scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia from April to May.
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Ronaldo-less Nassr draw against Shorta in new AFC Champions Elite
cgtn.com
