Saudi Arabia: Al Nassr sizzle in opener
Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the stands as Al Nassr Club began the defence of their Saudi Pro League title with an emphatic 3-0 win against Al Fateh on Saturday.

Goals from Angelo Gabriel (37th) and Joao Felix (40th) gave Al Nassr a comfortable lead going into the break with Samu Costa's 73rd-minute strike confirming the points as the defending champions ended the opening matchday top of the standings.

Al Hilal SFC, who will be determined to regain the crown, were also in sizzling form as they powered to a 4-2 win against Al Faisaly.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Al Hilal from the penalty spot in the 19th minute, with Malcom doubling their advantage seven minutes later.

It was then Ruben Neves' turn to score from the spot, striking home in the 28th minute but Al Faisaly narrowed the gap through Alexandre Mendy (59th) and Theo Bongonda (64th). Neves, however, calmed Al Hilal's nerves with his second from the penalty spot in the 82nd minute.

There were also winning starts for Al Ettifaq, Al Qadsiah, Neom, Al Hazem and Al Ahli Saudi FC.

Al Ettifaq defeated 10-man Al Riyadh 4-2, Al Qadsiah beat Al Shabab 3-1, Neom and Al Hazem edged Al Fayha and Abha 2-1 while Eduard Spertsyan scored the only goal in Al Ahli's defeat of Diriyah.

Al Ittihad Club opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw with Al Kholood while the Al Taawoun-Al Khaleej tie ended goalless.

UAE: Al Ain turn on the power
Houssine Rahimi scored twice as defending champions Al Ain FC fought back from two goals down to defeat Baniyas 4-2 in their opening UAE Pro League tie on Sunday.

Youssoufou Niakate's brace in the 15th and 42nd minutes gave Baniyas a healthy-looking advantage but Al Ain pulled one back through Soufiane Rahimi's spot-kick in first half added time.

Houssine drew Al Ain level in the 81st minute and the game turned on its head after that with the striker netting his second in the seventh minute of added time. Kaku then completed the turnaround with his strike three minutes later.

Al Wasl and Shabab Al Ahli, however, were the big winners on the opening matchday, defeating Dubai United and Khor Fakkan respectively 5-1.

In other games, Sharjah FC beat Al Dhafra 3-1, Ajman edged Al Wahda 3-2, Al Jazira defeated Hatta 2-0 while Al Nasr and Kalba played to an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Iraq: Air Force held in opener
Air Force SC opened the defence of their Iraq Stars League crown with a 3-3 draw against Newroz.

Defender Saed Al Rosan gave Air Force the lead in the fifth minute but the defending champions then found themselves on the backfoot as strikes from Mohammed Dlawar Ismael (11th), Ibrahem Gaze (25th, penalty) and Simon Msuva (31st) placed Newroz in the driver's seat.

Mohammed Jawad, however, pulled one back for Air Force in first half added time and they then capitalised on Marwan Hussein's red card in the 84th to score the equaliser through Jawad in the ninth minute of added time.

Al Shorta, runners-up last season, were also held to a draw in their opener, with Cristian Barco's penalty in the 23rd minute cancelled out by Karbala's Austin Amutu with a stoppage time goal.

In other matches, Al Naft kicked off their season with a 2-0 win against Al Karkh, Diyala defeated Al Talaba 2-1 and Zakho edged Ghaz Al Shamal 1-0.

Erbil defeated Al Kahraba 2-0, Al Karma-Al Mosul and Duhok-Al Gharraf played to 1-1 draws while the Al Zawraa-Al Minaa and Naft Missan-Al Golan ties ended in goalless stalemates.

Yemen: Al Sha´a Hadramaut held
Leaders Al Sha´a Hadramaut were held to a goalless draw by Al Ahli Sanaa as their lead at the top of the Yemen League was reduced to six points.

Al Tadamun capitalised on Al Sha´a Hadramaut dropping points by edging Al Shabab Al Baydaa 1-0.

Third-placed Al Wahda Sanaa are eight points adrift of Al Sha´a Hadramaut following a goalless draw with Yarmuk Al Rawda.