Al-Nassr Suffers 1-0 Defeat to Al-Ain in Asian Champions League Quarterfinal

In a tightly contested first leg of the Asian Champions League quarterfinal, Al-Nassr faced a 1-0 defeat against Al-Ain at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates on Monday.

The decisive goal came in the first half, courtesy of a strike from Moroccan forward Soufiane Rahimi, granting Al-Ain a crucial advantage heading into the return leg scheduled in Riyadh next Monday.

Cristiano Ronaldo, returning from suspension, couldn’t turn the tide in favor of Al-Nassr despite his fresh legs. Ronaldo, who missed a Saudi Pro League match as punishment for an alleged offensive gesture in the previous game against Al-Shabab, showcased glimpses of his prowess throughout the match. However, his efforts, including a close overhead kick early in the game and a lob attempt from the halfway line in the dying moments, weren’t enough to alter the scoreline. A close-range shot was denied by Al-Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa.

Al-Nassr’s hopes were further dampened as they ended the game with ten men following Aymeric Laporte’s sending off for violent conduct in stoppage time. The absence of the former Manchester City defender will be felt in the crucial second leg.

Despite Al-Nassr’s resilience, Al-Ain, under the tutelage of former Argentine striker Hernan Crespo, could have widened their lead with two goals disallowed for offside.

Reflecting on the outcome, Al-Nassr coach Luis Castro remained optimistic about the second leg, acknowledging the challenge ahead. “We are only halfway through, and while going to the next round is going to be difficult, we still have 90 minutes at home,” said Castro.

The winner of this quarterfinal tie is set to face Saudi opposition in the semifinals, with Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal set to clash in the second quarterfinal in the western zone on Tuesday. As the tournament progresses, anticipation builds for the eventual showdown in the Asian Champions League final.