Al-Nassr advanced to the group stage of the AFC Asian Champions League (ACL) on Tuesday after three late goals in a 4-2 win over Shabab Al-Ahli of the United Arab Emirates. Cristiano Ronaldo’s team trailed 2-1 before Sultan Al-Ghannam headed the equalizer in the 88th minute.
There is good news for Indian football fans who love European football is that the stars who joined Saudi this year could play some games in India as club Mumbai City FC have announced that they will play their home games in AFC Champions League at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune.
Cristiano Ronaldo to India?
The draw for the 32-team tournament, which starts next month, will be made on Thursday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In case Al-Nassr ends up in the same group as Mumbai City FC, then we could see the Portugal superstar playing in India for the first time ever.
Mumbai City is of the biggest names in world football among Asia’s leading clubs competing in the continent’s flagship tournament, Mumbai City FC aspires to make top-level football more accessible to watch and create a footballing culture across Maharashtra.
Nassr opened the deadlock on 11 minutes when Taslica headed home a Brozovic corner. However, Yahya Al Ghassani levelled for UAE champions Shabab Al Ahli seven minutes later. Nassr equalised with two minutes of normal time remaining when full-back Sultan Al Ghannam’s header was diverted into his own goal by Walid Abbas.
Nassr’s comeback was complete five minutes into the stoppage time, with Talisca nodding home from close range. Moments later, as Shabab Al Ahli tried the equaliser, Ronaldo placed up for Brozovic who made the score 4-2 putting a seal on their victory.
Following the group stage contest between the Asian powerhouses. The top 10 group winners along with the three best runners-up of each Zone will book their places in the Knockout Stages, which will take place from February to April before the coveted Final is held over two legs. It will be fascinating for Indian football fans if Ronaldo comes to play in India.
