Saudi Clubs Under Spotlight: Can Big Spending Secure Asian Champions League Glory?
Source: news.source.channelnewsasia
Saudi Arabia's top football clubs, backed by significant investments from the Public Investment Fund, are entering the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite with high expectations. Clubs like Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli, featuring stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, are favored to win the tournament, which is set to conclude in Jeddah. The pressure is on these teams to convert their expensive acquisitions into championship success, especially after falling short in the previous year's competition.
Key Points
Saudi clubs Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli are favored to win the Asian Champions League Elite due to significant investments in high-profile players.
The tournament's quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final will be held in Jeddah, giving Saudi teams a home advantage.
Al-Nassr, featuring stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Jhon Duran, Sadio Mane, and Aymeric Laporte, aims to win the Asian title for the first time.
Al-Hilal, with players like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Joao Cancelo, and Ruben Neves, is set to face South Korea's Gwangju in the quarter-finals.
Al-Ahli, bolstered by acquisitions such as Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez, and Franck Kessie, will compete against Thailand's Buriram United.
The pressure is on Saudi clubs to deliver a title after last year's disappointment, amid high expectations due to their lavish spending.
