Al Ahli lead way for RSL clubs in AFC Champions League Elite knockouts | OneFootball

Al Ahli were the standout for Roshn Saudi League clubs in the first round of knockout matches in the AFC Champions League Elite, with the Jeddah club dispatching Al Rayyan 3-1 in Qatar on Tuesday night.

Matthias Jaissle’s side, fifth in the 2024-25 RSL, maintained their brilliant form in the continent’s premier club competition, with Galeno, Riyad Mahrez and Feras Al Buraikan getting the goals at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in the first leg of the last-16 encounter.

The win, which gives Al Ahli a healthy lead going into the second leg in Jeddah next week, means they remain unbeaten in this season’s rebranded tournament, with eight victories and a draw from nine matches.

Mahrez has been the pick of the Al Ahli bunch: his goal from Roberto Firmino’s indirect free-kick lifted the former Manchester City winger to six goals in the AFC Champions League Elite, while he has also registered seven assists.

Also on Tuesday, RSL champions Al Hilal suffered their first defeat of the continental campaign, with Jorge Jesus’ side losing 1-0 to Pakhtakor in Uzbekistan.

The record four-time Asian champions, second to Al Ittihad in the domestic standings, will look to overturn the deficit when the two teams reconvene in Riyadh next Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Al Nassr are in a strong position to reach the quarter-finals after grinding out a goalless draw in their first leg against Iran’s Esteghlal in Tehran on Monday.

Cristiano Ronaldo, the reigning RSL golden boot holder and frontrunner in this year’s scoring charts, was rested for the match.

The Portuguese star will be expected to return to captain the side for this Friday’s Riyadh derby with Al Shabab – a match that pits against one another the fourth- and sixth-placed clubs, respectively, in the RSL standings. Al Nassr will then host Esteghlal in the last-16 second leg on Monday.

In the AFC Champions League Two, Al Taawoun held Iran's Tractor to a 0-0 draw in Tabriz on Tuesday in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. The return fixture takes place in Buraidah next week.