Mirgen Orazov, the coach of Turkmenistan’s Arkadağ, confirmed his team’s readiness for the upcoming match against Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, describing the game as “difficult” but expressing his optimism about achieving a positive result in the second leg of the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League 2.
At Tuesday's pre-match press conference, Orazov highlighted Al-Nassr's formidable strength, noting their roster of world-class stars. The coach expressed a particular wish for Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo to participate, saying, "I would be very happy if Cristiano Ronaldo played. He's an exceptional player who delivers world-class performances and adds tremendous strength to Al-Nassr.".
Orazov added: “We are fully aware of Al-Nasr’s strength and the big names it has, and this makes the match a big challenge for us. Nevertheless, we will do our best to deliver a good performance worthy of the occasion.”.
Context of the confrontation and historical background
This match is part of the inaugural edition of the AFC Champions League II, the second continental club competition established by the Asian Football Confederation. The first leg, played in Turkmenistan, ended in a narrow 1-0 victory for Al-Nassr, giving them an advantage heading into the return leg at their home ground in Riyadh.
Arkadağ FC represents a unique phenomenon in Asian football. Founded in 2023, the club managed to win the Turkmenistan Premier League in its debut season without a single defeat, reflecting its immense ambition. This continental campaign will be a true test of the team's capabilities against one of the continent's giants.
The importance of the match and its expected impact
Domestically, Al-Nassr aims to continue its successful continental campaign and add another title to its trophy cabinet, especially after the club's massive investments in bringing in world-class stars, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mane, and Aymeric Laporte. For Arkadağ, the match represents a historic opportunity to gain experience and showcase Turkmenistan's football in a positive light.
Regionally and internationally, the match gains immense importance thanks to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has turned the world's attention to Saudi and Asian football in general. The participation of a player of Ronaldo's stature not only elevates the match's technical quality but also increases its global viewership, which explains the opposing team's coach's desire to face him and capitalize on this significant media and competitive boost.
The second leg is scheduled to be played at Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh on Wednesday at 9:15 PM Mecca time, where Al-Nassr will be looking to confirm their superiority and secure their place in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
