Saudi clubs shine in the Asian tournament
The ideal lineup for the group stage of the 2023-2024 AFC Champions League reflects the significant dominance of Saudi Pro League clubs, with seven players from the three participating Saudi teams: Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad. This selection, announced by the global sports statistics network SofaScore, underscores the high quality and significant impact of the professional players and international stars who have recently joined the Saudi league.
Background to the strong rise of Saudi football
This continental dominance is a natural outcome of Saudi Arabia's ambitious strategy to develop its sports sector, which has attracted prominent international names to the Roshan League. This investment has not only raised the level of domestic competition but has also had a clear impact on the Asian stage, where Saudi clubs now boast squads capable of competing with the continent's strongest teams. The strong performances of Al-Hilal, Al-Ahli, and Al-Ittihad in the group stage, and their qualification for the knockout rounds, are tangible proof of the success of this strategy in raising expectations and achieving immediate results.
The importance of the event and its future impact
The dominance of Saudi Arabian club players in the ideal lineup is not merely a statistical achievement; it carries deeper implications. Domestically, this accomplishment enhances the brand value of the Roshan League and increases fans' pride in their clubs. Regionally, this dominance solidifies Saudi Arabia's position as a leading football power in Asia and raises the bar for rivals in other leagues, such as those in Japan and South Korea. Internationally, this performance attracts the attention of global observers and media, contributing to the increased popularity of the Asian championship and strengthening Saudi Arabian football's standing on the world stage, especially with the upcoming launch of the new format of the tournament under the name "AFC Champions League Elite" in the 2024-2025 season, which is expected to be even more competitive.
The perfect complete lineup for the group stage
The 11-man squad confirmed the dominance of Saudi clubs, with four players from Al-Hilal, two from Al-Ahli, and one from Al-Ittihad. The full squad is as follows:
- Goalkeeper: Alireza Beiranvand (Tractor of Iran).
- Defense line: Hernandez (Al Hilal), Roger Ibanez (Al Ahli), Yusuf Akchichik (Al Hilal), Daniel Esmaeilifar (Tractor of Iran).
- Midfield: Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Houssem Aouar (Al-Ittihad), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Al-Hilal).
- Forwards: Jesse Lingard (Seoul, South Korea), Felipe Silva (Chengdu Rongcheng, China), Riyad Mahrez (Al Ahly).
Al-Hilal finished the group stage at the top of their group with 22 points, 5 points ahead of Al-Ahli in second place, while Al-Ittihad finished fourth, with the Saudi trio deservedly qualifying for the next round of the most prestigious continental tournament.
