Cristiano Ronaldo Rested as Al Nassr Prepares for AFC Champions League Clash in Uzbekistan

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Al Nassr’s AFC Champions League match against Pakhtakor Tashkent in Uzbekistan, a decision made by coach Ange Postecoglou amid security concerns and a congested fixture schedule.

Ronaldo, who netted a hat trick in a Saudi Pro League fixture last week, has now contributed 985 career goals for club and country, keeping his pursuit of the 1,000‑goal milestone alive.

“Despite the difficult start, the preparation conditions, and the lack of complete readiness at the beginning of the season, we have now reached an excellent stage,” Postecoglou said in Tashkent.

Postecoglou’s Decision and Player Rest Strategy

The Dutch coach, a former Tottenham and Australia boss, explained that he rested Ronaldo, Kingsley Coman and Mohamed Simakan “given the pressure of matches and the amount of travel involved.”

Postecoglou emphasized that the rest period is part of a broader management plan to keep his squad fresh for the knockout phase of the Asian competition, which is split into eastern and western groups with the top eight from each advancing.

Al Nassr’s Campaign and Group Standings

Al Nassr, aiming for its first Asian title, currently sits ninth in the western zone group, the lowest-ranked of the five Saudi clubs competing in the 32‑team tournament.

Despite a slow start, the team has shown improvement, and the coaching staff believes the current preparation phase offers a solid platform for the knockout rounds.

Al Nassr vs Pakhtakor Tashkent

The match scheduled for Monday will see Al Nassr field a largely rotated XI, with Ronaldo absent alongside Coman and Simakan. The rest of the squad includes experienced players such as Abdulrahman Ghareeb and new signing Abdulaziz Al‑Dawsari.

Coach Postecoglou noted that the team’s recent training camp in Spain and the altitude acclimatization in Tashkent have helped the players adapt to the local conditions.

Asian Cup Preparations Amid Regional Instability

Concerns over the safety of the upcoming Asian Cup, set to kick off on 7 January in Saudi Arabia, have grown after repeated missile attacks by Houthi rebels.

Japan Football Association president Tsuneyasu Miyamoto voiced doubt that the tournament can proceed as planned, stating that the situation remains “unsafe.”

Meanwhile, AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim Al Khalifa said the confederation will monitor developments and may decide to postpone or relocate the event, potentially even pushing it back to 2028.

Upcoming Matches and Tournament Implications

Al Nassr’s next fixture after the Tashkent game is against Shabab Al‑Ahli of the United Arab Emirates, a match that could influence the western group standings.

In the eastern group, Al Ahli, the defending Asian champions, sit third and will travel to Qatar to face Al Sadd, while Al Hilal, led by Ollie Watkins, topped the Saudi Pro League after a five‑match winning streak.

Al Ahli’s recent 6‑1 home loss to a domestic side has raised questions about their form, but the club expects England striker Ivan Toney to be available after his recent court appearance, where he pleaded not guilty to an assault charge.

Other Saudi Clubs’ Contributions

Al Hilal’s dominance in the domestic league, highlighted by Watkins’ goal, has propelled them to the summit of the Saudi Pro League, setting up a clash with Shabab Al‑Ahli.

Al Nassr’s slow start, however, remains a concern for their Asian ambitions, especially as they navigate a challenging travel schedule and security environment.

Security Concerns and the Asian Cup Outlook

The Houthis have launched multiple attacks on Saudi territory in recent weeks, prompting worries that the Asian Cup could be disrupted.

Saudi organizers have reiterated that all venues, kickoff times and broadcast arrangements were finalized last week and that preparations are proceeding according to schedule.

Jan 7 Kick‑off and Ongoing Threats

Despite the security situation, the Asian Cup is still slated to begin on 7 January, with Saudi clubs and regional federations expressing cautious optimism that the tournament can run safely.

As the region continues to experience intermittent missile activity, the AFC’s decision‑making process will likely intensify in the coming weeks, with stakeholders weighing the risks against the logistical commitments already in place.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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