Mon Mar 03 15:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Saudi Clubs Dominate AFC Champions League, Rule Controversy Erupts
**Riyadh, Saudi Arabia/Lahore, Pakistan** – The AFC Champions League Elite is shaping up to be a Saudi Arabian affair, with Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, and Al-Ahli emerging as strong contenders. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr, despite a ninth-place standing in the Saudi Pro League, is favored to advance past the last 16, aided by home-field advantage in the latter stages of the competition. Ronaldo’s six group-stage goals contribute to their hopes, along with the recent addition of Colombian striker Jhon Durán. However, they face stiff competition from fellow Saudi clubs, Al-Hilal and Al-Ahli, both heavily funded by the Public Investment Fund.
Meanwhile, a controversial decision by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has sparked outrage. Shandong Taishan of China withdrew from their final group game, citing player illness, but the AFC subsequently erased their results, eliminating Pohang Steelers of South Korea and allowing Shanghai Port to advance despite finishing lower in the standings. AFC officials have privately acknowledged the need for rule revisions following the incident, which involved a single game fewer played by Pohang compared to Shanghai. The incident highlights inconsistencies in the newly restructured tournament format.
In other Asian football news, FIFA has lifted its suspension of the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), paving the way for Pakistan’s participation in upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers. The suspension, the third in eight years, was lifted following constitutional amendments approved by FIFA and the AFC. Pakistan is scheduled to play Syria on March 25th.
First Piper 