AFC Champions League Draw: Ronaldo’s Al Nassr Handed Tricky Draw As Neymar’s Al Hilal Head to India

• The stage is set for the 2023 AFC Champions League after the draw was held on Thursday
• Cristiano Ronaldo is set to venture to Tajikistan, while Neymar will embark on a journey to India
• The Knockout Stages will welcome the 10 group winners, in addition to the three most outstanding runners-up from each Zone

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr and Neymar's Al-Hilal have learned their path to glory following the AFC Champions League group stage draw held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday.

The draw pitted 40 clubs into 10 groups, equally divided between the East and West Zones, encompassing all four of Saudi Arabia's representatives.

Al-Hilal, last season's runners-up, found themselves placed in Group D, where they'll compete against Iran's Nassaji Mazandaran FC, India's Mumbai City FC, and Uzbekistan's Navbahor, per ESPN.

According to Sportstar, Ronaldo and his Al-Nassr teammates will embark on their journey in Group E, sharing it with the Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis FC, Qatar's Al Duhail SC, and Tajikistan's FC Istiklol.

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Football

Debutants Al Fayha from the Saudi Pro League have been drawn into Group A, where they'll face Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor, Turkmenistan's Ahal FC, and the UAE's Al Ain FC.

On the other hand, two-time champions Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, Sepahan SC of Iran, Iraq's Air Force Club, and Uzbekistan's AGMK FC will compete in Group C.

Below is the full draw:

West Zone

Group A: Pakhtakor (UZB), Al Fayha FC (KSA), Ahal FC (TKM), Al Ain FC (UAE)

Group B: Al Sadd SC (QAT), FC Nasaf (UZB), Al Faisaly (JOR), Sharjah FC (UAE)

Group C: Al Ittihad (KSA), Sepahan SC (IRN), Air Force Club (IRQ), AGMK FC (UZB)

Group D: Al Hilal SFC (KSA), Nassaji Mazandaran FC (IRN), Mumbai City FC (IND), Navbahor (UZB)

Group E: Persepolis FC (IRN), Al Duhail SC (QAT), FC Istiklol (TJK), Al Nassr (KSA)

East Zone

Group F: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR), Bangkok United (THA), Lion City Sailors (SGP), Kitchee SC (HKG)

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Cricket

Group G: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN), Shandong Taishan FC (CHN), Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI), Incheon United FC (KOR)

Group H: Buriram United (THA), Ventforet Kofu (JPN), Melbourne City FC (AUS), Zhejiang FC (CHN)

Group I: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR), Kawasaki Frontale (JPN), Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS), BG Pathum United (THA)

Group J: Wuhan Three Towns FC (CHN), Pohang Steelers (KOR), Hanoi FC (VIE), Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Ronaldo's Al-Nassr seals Champions League spot

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Al-Nassr orchestrated a stunning comeback to secure their place in the 2023 Asian Champions League in a thrilling match on Tuesday, August 22.

Despite trailing for a significant portion of the game against Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai, the Knights of Najd clinched victory with remarkable performances from their key players.