Al Nassr without Cristiano Ronaldo land in Goa for AFC Champions League Two match
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Indian Super League (ISL) side FC Goa are all set to host Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr in an AFC Champions League Two match at Fatorda on October 22.
The squad from Saudi Arabia has landed in Goa, but without their talisman. Portuguese great Ronaldo chose not to travel to India for the third game of Group D.
Jorge Jesus' Al Nassr sit comfortably at the top of the group with consecutive wins. Goa lost to Iraqi side Al-Zawraa and Tajikistan's Istiklol, both 0-2, and remain at the bottom of the four-team table.
FC Goa have called their meeting with Al Nassr the 'biggest night in Indian football', considering the strength of the opposition. Though the absence of Ronaldo in the Al Nassr side diminishes the star value of the clash, there is no shortage of talent in the travelling party that comprises Sadio Mane, Joao Felix and Inigo Martinez, among others.
Al Nassr are adequately warmed up for the AFC fixture in Goa, having started their domestic campaign in the Saudi Pro League impressively. After five rounds, Al Nassr sit on top of the Pro League standings, with a perfect record, scoring 19 goals and conceding just two.
In contrast, the domestic club competition in India remains suspended due to a standoff between the All India Football Federation and its commercial partner, FSDL. The AIFF has yet to announce the schedule for the ISL, which was expected to start in September.