The former English Premier League star was able to make a difference in the Asian Champions League starting Monday. Ivan Toney, Jesse Lingard, Riyad Mahrez and Darwin Nunez all have a chance to win the Asian football premier club tournament.
The Saudi Arabian club dominated last season and previously provided three semi-finals Al-Ahli won The final was in May before Jeddah’s 60,000 spectators. Al Ittihad and Al Hilal are also expected to return and try again for the title.
The national public investment fund took over the major clubs, Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, 2023, Saudi Arabian League The club has spent about $1.5 billion on players.
Tony Signed Alari from Brentford in August 2024 and welcomes more success in Asia.
“It was great to win the Champions League in front of the fans. They’re very passionate,” Tony told the Associated Press.
It’s often combined with Mahrez
The English striker has developed a fruitful relationship with Riad Marez, who scored six goals in the Continental tournament last season and won the UEFA Champions League in Manchester City in 2021.
“When you get into the right position in this region, great players like Mahrez will find you,” says Toney. “Saudi Arabia’s standards are very high.”
In the group stage, 24 teams are divided into Asian Western and Eastern Zones, with the top eight from each up to 16 rounds.
Riyadh’s Al Hilal was the most successful club in tournament history, winning four titles and the only Asian team to come out of the group stage. Club World Cup In June they defeated Manchester City to reach the quarterfinals.
Al Hilal was bolstered by the Uruguayan striker’s $70 million signature Nuness From Liverpool.
Inzagi’s target
Coach Simone Inzaghi led Inter Milan to the UEFA Champions League final, losing 5-0 to Paris Saint-Germain before quitting in June. Move to Al Hilal.
Italian coaches want to get better in Asia.
Meanwhile, two-time champion Al-Ittihad is aiming for Karim Benzema N’Golo Kante won the European version in Asia to do the same.
East Zone
Former Manchester United and British Star Lingard are holding the flags of FC Seoul. The Korean League is the most successful in Asian club competitions, winning 12 titles overall, but has produced one winner since 2016.
Lingard joined the K-League team in 2023 and after a slow start he became a club captain and fan favorite.
“Now we have to compete in the league and the elites of the AFC Champions League,” Lingard said. “As captain, I will do my best to help my team achieve good results.”
Seoul FC coach Kim Ki Dong gives the 32-year-old Lingard more responsibility.
“He played in the England and the Premier League, which will be his first AFC Champions League,” Kim said. “He’s really looking forward to this and I know he’s working so hard for it.”
Japanese clubs have recently offered most opposed to Saudi Arabia clubs. Kawasaki Maino defeated Al Nasr in the semi-finals in April, but this time he did not qualify.
J-League champion Vissel Kobe may present the strongest challenge, but of the 12 Eastern teams, only South Korea’s Ulsan was the previous champion.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
