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The relocation of many world football stars from Europe to Asia, in particular to Saudi Arabia, lowered the level of European leagues, but contributed to the development of football in the Asian region.

An interesting and controversial phenomenon, to which the attention of millions of viewers is riveted, may very soon become a pleasant reality for Turkmen football fans.

The current champion of the major league of Turkmenistan "Ahal" directly qualified for the group stage of the AFC Champions League - the main club football tournament in the Asian region. Even the Saudi Al-Nasr, in which Ronaldo and Sadio Mane are enchanting, cannot boast of such an achievement. But more on that later.

Tomorrow, on August 24, Malaysia will host the draw for the group stage of the AFC Champions League, during which “Ahal” will recognize the opponents in the group, but for now we are analyzing potential opponents of the Turkmen club.

The champion of Turkmenistan was in the third basket along with Al-Shorta (Iraq), Al-Faisali (Jordan), Istiklol (Tajikistan) and Mumbai City (India) clubs. With these teams, the Turkmen team will definitely not play in the group stage of the tournament.

In the first basket are: "Al-Ittihad" (Saudi Arabia), "Persepolis" (Iran), "Al-Sadd" (Qatar), "Pakhtakor" (Uzbekistan), "Al-Hilal" (Saudi Arabia).

Note that there are two clubs from Saudi Arabia here at once, which have several famous football players.

Two-time AFC Champions League winners “Al Ittihad” have ex-“Real” Madrid player Karim Benzema and former “Chelsea” midfielder N'Golo Kante in their roster.

Another Saudi club, “Al-Hilal”, has recently acquired a world-famous star, the Brazilian Neymar. He has not yet made his debut for the team, but he immediately received various privileges. Malian Moussa Marega and Senegalese Kalidou Koulibaly, who have experience playing in European championships also play for the club from Riyadh.

Other clubs from this basket are less famous, but more titled than teams from Saudi Arabia. Of course, we are talking about domestic championships. “Ahal” 's potential rivals from the first basket, in addition to clubs from SA, are 15-time winner of the Iranian Pro-League “Persepolis”, 16-time winner of the Qatar Stars League “Al-Sadd” and 15-time champion of Uzbekistan “Pakhtakor”.

There are fewer elite Asian clubs in the second basket, but they are no less strong and ambitious than the teams from the first one. Here are Iranian "Sepahan" and "Nassaji Mazandaran", Qatari "Al-Duhail", Uzbek "Nasaf" and "Al-Feiha" from Saudi Arabia.

The composition of the third basket was determined quite recently, on August 22. According to the results of the playoff round, “Al-Ain”, “Sharjah” (both UAE), “AGMK”, “Navbakhor” (both Uzbekistan) and Saudi “Al-Nasr”, which includes the Portuguese Cristiano Ronaldo and Senegalese Sadio Mane. It is appropriate to note that in the playoff round, “Al-Nasr” in the match against “Shabab Al-Ahly” losing by the 88th minute, snatched the victory and will play in the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

According to the results of the draw, ten groups of four teams each will be formed. The group round of the main club tournament in Asia will consist of six rounds and will begin on September 18 and end on December 13. All teams will play three matches at home and away.

The draw for the group stage of the AFC Champions League-2023/24 in the West and East zones, which will determine the opponents of the Turkmen "Ahal", will begin at 13:00 Ashgabat time.

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