All Eyes On Saudi Big Spenders As Asian Champions League Quarter-Finals Kick-Off

‎Saudi Arabia’s recent spending spree in the luxury segment of the global transfer market is expected to bear fruit in the next week and a half.

‎The country’s leading clubs are focused on turning their high-profile signings into title contenders in the Asian Champions League.

‎Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, along with four-time Asian champions Al-Hilal and Jeddah-based Al-Ahli, has reached the continental quarter-finals. The Saudi Pro League teams are favored to lead the charge for silverware in the tournament.

‎Huge sums have been spent since Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund bought majority holdings in the nation’s leading clubs in 2023, and after falling short in last year’s competition, expectations are rising once more.

‎Al-Nassr has welcomed Colombia’s Jhon Duran to a roster that already includes Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte, along with Cristiano Ronaldo, as the Riyadh-based club aims to win the Asian title for the first time.

‎Saudi champions Al-Hilal showcase talents like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Joao Cancelo, and Ruben Neves.

‎Meanwhile, Al-Ahli boasts a strong lineup that features high-profile signings such as Ivan Toney, Riyad Mahrez, and Franck Kessie.

‎The extravagant spending needed to attract such elite talent positions the trio as favorites to overcome their East Asian rivals, especially with the added advantage of hosting the centralized finals phase on home soil.

‎The quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final will all be held in Jeddah, forcing their opponents to travel thousands of kilometers with their own domestic campaigns in full flow.

‎Al-Hilal will kick off their campaign on Friday against South Korea’s debutants Gwangju, who rely heavily on the goal-scoring talent of Albania international Jasir Asani.

‎Although Asani may not be as internationally recognized as Al-Hilal’s marquee names, he has been in excellent form, currently holding the title of the tournament’s top scorer with nine goals.

‎This puts him one goal ahead of both Al-Hilal’s Salem Al-Dawsari and Yokohama F. Marinos’ Anderson Lopes.

‎Lopes’ team will face Al-Nassr on Saturday, as last year’s runners-up continue to grapple with the fallout from the recent dismissal of English coach Steve Holland.

‎He was fired last week while the five-time Japanese champions are currently struggling in the relegation zone back home.

‎Also on Saturday, Thailand’s Buriram United take on Al-Ahli, looking to score a major upset, having qualified for the last eight for the first time since 2013.

‎Kawasaki Frontale will be in action during the fourth quarter-final on Sunday, facing Qatar’s Al-Sadd, who last claimed the Asian champions title in 2011.