Al-Nassr returns to Uzbekistan with memories of 2016

A file photo of players fighting for the ball.

TASHKENT, Nov 1: Al-Nassr of Saudi Arabia faces Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor away on Monday in the third round of the AFC Champions League Elite, marking its first trip to Uzbekistan since 2016, when it last won in the country.

The Saudi side lost its opening match before winning its second, while its third fixture was postponed. Pakhtakor drew its first two matches before losing its third.

The match will be held at Pakhtakor Central Stadium in Tashkent, marking Al-Nassr’s first appearance in Uzbekistan in nearly a decade.

Al-Nassr has played three matches in Uzbekistan. Its first came against Pakhtakor in 2011, when the sides drew 2-2 in the group stage. Kuwaiti star Bader Al-Mutawa and Serbian Bojan Miladinovic scored for the Saudi team.

In 2015, Al-Nassr edged Bunyodkor 1-0 with a goal from Polish midfielder Adrian Mierzejewski. The same scoreline was repeated against the same opponent in 2016, with Malian striker Modibo Maiga scoring the winner.

Elsewhere today, Qatar’s Al-Sadd hosts Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, UAE’s Al-Wasl meets Iraq’s Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, while Saudi giant Al-Ittihad takes on UAE’s Al-Ain.