Al Ahly Makes a Successful Return to the AFC Champions League
Saudi club Al Ahly defeated Iranian side Persepolis with a single goal scored by Ivorian midfielder Franck Kessié, just two minutes into the match at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Stadium. In front of 15,170 spectators, Al Ahly kicked off the first round of the newly formatted AFC Champions League in style.
Returning to the AFC Champions League after a three-year absence, Al Ahly wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Algerian star Riyad Mahrez delivered a pinpoint pass to Kessié, who calmly slotted the ball into the net, giving his team the lead in the second minute.
The referee initially awarded Persepolis a penalty following a foul by Turkish defender Merih Demiral, but the decision was overturned after a VAR review.
In the second half, Al Ahly’s English striker Ivan Toney unleashed a powerful shot after an excellent pass from Spanish teammate Gabri Veiga, but Persepolis’ goalkeeper made a crucial save in the 53rd minute.
Moments later, Al Ahly earned a penalty following a foul on Toney, but Mahrez missed the spot-kick (55′). Toney had another chance to extend the lead in the 81st minute but fired wide.
Elsewhere, UAE’s Al Ain began their title defense with a 1-1 draw against Qatar’s Al Sadd, while Saudi club Al Nassr, playing without their Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, also settled for a 1-1 draw against Iraq’s Al-Shorta.
At Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, Argentine Matías Palacios netted a goal for Al Ain in the 80th minute, while Akram Afif scored for Al Sadd during first-half stoppage time (45+1).
Al Ain, who won last season’s title and their first in 2003, triumphed over Japan’s Yokohama Marinos with a 6-3 aggregate score in the final.
In Baghdad’s International Stadium, Al Nassr took the lead through Sultan Al-Ghannam in the 14th minute, but Mohammed Dawood equalized for Al-Shorta ten minutes later.
Ronaldo missed the game due to illness, with the club announcing that “First team captain Cristiano Ronaldo is suffering from a viral infection, and after medical follow-up, it was decided that he needs rest and will not accompany the team.”
Spanish defender Aymeric Laporte was also absent due to suspension after receiving a red card in last season’s quarterfinal against Al Ain.
Meanwhile, Iranian club Esteghlal secured a straight 3-0 win over Al Gharafa. The goals came from an own goal by Al Gharafa defender Abdullah Yousif (4’), and late strikes by Ramin Rezaeian (79’) and Arash Rezavand (89’).
