Digimagaz.com – The AFC Champions League Asia 2023-2024 witnessed a night of intense football action, marred by controversy and surprises. On the night of Monday, October 2, until the early hours of Tuesday, October 3, 2023, six matches were scheduled to take place, but one fixture, in particular, captured the headlines.
Al Ittihad vs. Sepahan Match Cancelled
The anticipated showdown between Sepahan and Al Ittihad, scheduled to be held at the Nagsh-e-Jahan Stadium, took an unexpected turn when Al Ittihad refused to step onto the pitch. The reason behind this shocking decision was the presence of a statue of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian military figure not favored by Saudi Arabia.
Initially, there had been no signs of controversy, as Karim Benzema and his teammates had trained at the stadium the day before and were prepared for the match. Al Ittihad had even announced its starting eleven players. However, when a statue of Qasem Soleimani appeared near the players’ bench, Al Ittihad refused to enter the field.
As a result, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) decided to cancel the match, which was supposed to kick off on Monday, October 2, 2023, at 11:00 PM local time. This incident has raised questions about the role of politics in sports and the need for clear guidelines regarding such situations.
Al Nassr Emerges Victorious
Meanwhile, another highlight of the night featured Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, who faced off against Tajikistani side Istiklol. Al Nassr clinched a convincing 3-1 victory, with Cristiano Ronaldo making his mark by scoring in the 66th minute. Talisca also contributed with two goals in the 72nd and 77th minutes.
With this triumph, Al Nassr now sits at the top of Group E’s standings in the AFC Champions League Asia 2023-2024 with a total of 6 points. In contrast, Istiklol is languishing at the bottom of the table with just 1 point to their name.
Complete Results of Last Night’s Matches
- FK AGMK Olmaliq 1-2 Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya
- Sepahan vs. Al Ittihad (Cancelled)
- Al Sharjah 1-0 Al Faisaly
- Nasaf 3-1 Al Sadd
- Al Duhail 0-1 Persepolis
- Al Nassr 3-1 Istiklol
The AFC Champions League Asia 2023-2024 continues to captivate football fans worldwide with its thrilling matches and unexpected twists. While Al Nassr celebrates their triumph, the controversy surrounding the cancellation of the Sepahan vs. Al Ittihad match serves as a reminder that the intersection of politics and sports can lead to unexpected outcomes on the pitch. Football enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the next round of fixtures in this prestigious tournament, hoping for more spectacular moments and drama on the field.