RIYADH : Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr overcame a security delay to beat Uzbekistan’s Neftchi 3-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday.
Kick-off was delayed by about an hour after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a safety warning 15 minutes before the scheduled start in Riyadh. The city has faced missile attacks from Yemen-based Houthi forces in recent days.
Al-Nassr took the lead in the 33rd minute when Angelo scored with a deflected strike. Ronaldo doubled the advantage nine minutes later, turning the ball into the bottom corner after Sadio Mane’s cross was directed into his path by Aiman Yahya.
Neftchi reduced the deficit through Alisher Odilov six minutes into the second half, but Ikromjon Alibaev’s dismissal in the 65th minute for a foul on Mohamed Simakan left the visitors with 10 men. An own goal by Anvarjon Gofurov in the 78th minute sealed Al-Nassr’s victory.
Defending champions Al-Ahli secured their first win of the campaign with a 3-1 victory over UAE side Al-Wasl. Roger Ibanez headed them ahead in the 20th minute before Pedro Malheiro equalised in first-half stoppage time. Trincao restored Al-Ahli’s lead in the 58th minute, and Feras Al-Brikan added a third in the 91st.
Elsewhere, Al-Ain beat Air Force Club 4-1 in Basra, with Houssine Rahimi scoring twice, while Esteghlal defeated Qatar’s Al-Gharafa 2-1 through Hossein Goudarzi’s 60th-minute winner.
Pakhtakor rescued a 1-1 draw against Al-Qadsiah with a last-minute penalty from Dostonbek Khamdamov, while Iran’s Tractor were held to a goalless draw by Qatar’s Al-Shamal.
The top eight teams in each 16-team league phase in east and west Asia will advance to the knockout rounds.
