AFC Champions League Elite - Preview: PFC Nasaf (UZB) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Qarshi: PFC Nasaf will be determined to avoid the experience of their previous match when they host Al Hilal SFC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 on Monday.

The Uzbekistan side led 2-0 before succumbing to a 4-2 defeat against defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC and have to brace themselves for another stiff test at the Markaziy Stadium.

While Nasaf will be facing Al Hilal for the first time, their record against teams from Saudi Arabia is underwhelming - having won just once in eight meetings with their last four matches ending in defeats.

Nasaf, however, are unbeaten in their last 11 AFC Champions League games at home (W5 D6), having kept a clean sheet in six of these matches and not conceding more than one goal in any of the others.

They will have to be defensively resolute against an Al Hilal side who have won their first away games in each of their last five AFC Champions League campaigns.

The four-time Asian champions, however, are not firing on all cylinders - needing to come from behind to beat Qatar's Al Duhail SC 2-1 in their opening continental match two weeks ago.

Their domestic form has also been not at their usual standards, having kicked off their campaign with two wins and two draws but Nasaf will do well to keep in mind Al Hilal always rise to the occasion on the continental stage.

PFC Nasaf (UZB) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)
Venue: Markaziy Stadium (Qarshi)
Kick-off: Monday, 18:45 (UTC+5)

Preview: PFC Nasaf (UZB) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

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