Al-Nassr finalized their group phase AFC Champions League run by tying 0-0 against Persepolis from Iran. Stefano Pioli was picked to hold back essential team members from the starting line-up when he sent his understrength lineup to Tehran for the match against Persepolis on Monday.
Beyond the third position in the West zone, Al-Nassr had to accept their final placement in the AFC Champions League group stage. The third-place finish in their AFC Champions League group stage went to Al-Nassr, and two other Saudi clubs took second and first positions. Under the tournament structure, eight teams from each East and West region can move into knockout matches where their group contains twelve participating teams.
During another match of the competition Al-Ahli defeated Qatar’s Al-Gharafa soccer club by 4-2. Ivan Toney joined forces with Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino and Galeno while coming off of their Premier League careers to score goals against their opponents. Al-Gharafa’s defense was overwhelmed by the fierce attacking power of their opponents.
The Uzbekistani team Pakhtakor secured their position in the next round after beating Al-Sadd from Qatar with a 2-1 score. All participating teams now shift their attention toward facing more difficult opponents during the knockout phase to achieve their targets of continental success.