In the second leg of the 1/8 finals of the AFC Champions League 2, Saudi Arabia's Al-Nasr defeated Turkmenistan's Arkadag 1-0 at home, taking the aggregate lead to 2-0.

Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't even on the roster, watching from the VIP stand.

A goal scored by Saudi Arabian midfielder Abdulrahman Gharib in the second minute of the match sealed the deal. The teams played out the remainder of the match.

Arkadag, as expected, played a defensively solid game, and the players' mentality was based on this unwavering tactic. Even a goal conceded early in the match wasn't enough to motivate them to switch to an attacking approach.

From the very first minutes, the Saudi Arabian visitors seized the initiative, controlling the ball and putting pressure on the opposition's defense. Gharib's early goal proved decisive, giving Al Nasr a comfortable lead and depriving Arkadag of any chance of remaining in the tournament against the best teams in the Asian region.

Nevertheless, this game was a crucial test for Arkadag on the international stage. The young club from Turkmenistan, founded only in 2023, earned the respect of fans and experts by appearing in the AFC Champions League finals for the first time and standing strong against a more prestigious opponent.

Despite the defeat, the match against one of the leaders of Asian football provided the Turkmen team with significant experience and proof of their growing level of play.

In the first leg in Ashgabat, Al Nasr secured a narrow 1-0 victory, and the return match only strengthened the Saudi team's lead.

Both teams are already looking ahead: Al Nasr will continue their pursuit of the AFC Champions League trophy, while Arkadag will focus on further progress in international competitions and strengthening its position in Asian football.

ORIENT