PARIS, March 4 — Without Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi club Al Nassr had to settle for a goalless draw against Esteghlal in Tehran yesterday in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite last-16 tie.
PARIS, March 4 — Without Cristiano Ronaldo, Saudi club Al Nassr had to settle for a goalless draw against Esteghlal in Tehran yesterday in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite last-16 tie.
Ronaldo, Al Nassr’s captain, was reportedly rested for the opening knockout match of the rebranded competition. The 40-year-old Portuguese forward had played in his team’s shocking domestic defeat to Al Orobah last Friday and remained in Riyadh as the continental tournament resumed.
In Ronaldo’s absence, winter signing Jhon Duran endured a frustrating night at the Azadi Stadium. The Colombian forward, who joined in January from Premier League side Aston Villa, failed to build on his promising tournament debut, where he scored twice last month.
Duran had two key chances in the first half. On 20 minutes, he broke past the Esteghlal defense but fired straight at goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini. The rebound fell to Ayman Yahya, whose attempt was blocked on the goal line. Six minutes later, Duran was set up by former Chelsea winger Angelo Gabriel, but his weak shot was comfortably saved by Hosseini.
Al Nassr, who dominated possession in the first half, appeared poised to take the lead just before the hour mark. Former Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic sent a ball over the hosts' backline, but Duran’s attempted lob lacked power and was easily stopped by Hosseini.
In the 69th minute, with Hosseini caught out of position, Duran struck the base of the post from a tight angle. Minutes later, he fired high and wide from the left side of the box.
Al Nassr will host Esteghlal in the second leg in Riyadh in seven days, having already defeated them in the group stage. Manager Stefano Pioli will hope to have Ronaldo back in the starting lineup. The Portuguese star has scored six goals in five Champions League Elite appearances this season.
Elsewhere in the Last-16
In another last-16 matchup, UAE champions Al Wasl were held to a 1-1 draw at home against Qatar’s two-time Asian champions Al Sadd.
Al Wasl got off to a perfect start at Zabeel Stadium, with captain Ali Saleh scoring a well-placed cut-back finish just three minutes in. However, Al Sadd equalized in the 68th minute when reigning Asian Player of the Year Akram Afif delivered a pinpoint cross for Abdullah Al Yazidi to head home.
The second leg will take place in Al Rayyan next Monday. — AFP
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