Al Nassr delivered a decisive display to overpower Istiklol 4-0 and confirm their position at the summit of Group D in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™. Joao Felix, Mohamed Simikan, Sadio Mane, and Aiman Yahya each found the net, ensuring the Saudi side maintained a flawless run in the group.
Al Nassr delivered a decisive display to overpower Istiklol 4-0 and confirm their position at the summit of Group D in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™. Joao Felix, Mohamed Simikan, Sadio Mane, and Aiman Yahya each found the net, ensuring the Saudi side maintained a flawless run in the group.
Head coach Jorge Jesus emphasized that the breadth of quality within his roster was the foundation of the victory. He noted that the encounter carried weight for their opponents, who still had hopes of advancing, yet his players kept full control throughout.
Jesus praised his squad for managing the tactical flow of the contest and highlighted their consistency across the campaign. He added that the upcoming short break was well-earned, pointing out that every member of the team had contributed meaningfully across matches.
The coach reiterated that Al Nassr possesses far more than a standard starting lineup, stressing that the entire group must stay prepared to influence games from any role. According to him, the performance against Istiklol demonstrated the collective readiness he expects.
The heavy defeat left Istiklol stuck on six points, and their coach Igor Cherevchenko admitted the gulf in tempo was too wide to overcome. He explained that Al Nassr operated at a much higher rhythm, moving fluidly and reacting with sharp coordination.
Cherevchenko recognized that such pace reflected Al Nassr’s preparation and physical edge, which his side could not consistently match. He noted that his players struggled to maintain that level beyond the early second-half stages.
Fatigue became a key issue, as many in his team also play for the national squad and began to tire shortly after the hour mark. Despite the setback, he insisted that they remain determined to push for stronger outcomes as they continue developing.
With their fifth consecutive win, Al Nassr reached the maximum tally of 15 points and secured the top spot even before the final fixture. This allows them to shift their focus toward the next round of the competition.
The victory also tightened the race for Istiklol, who must now reassess before their remaining group challenge. Cherevchenko maintained that improvement is possible as long as the team keeps working on elevating their output.
Al Nassr, meanwhile, enters the knockout phase confident in both form and squad depth, fully aware that every member will be required as the tournament progresses. Jesus made clear that the collective strength his side demonstrated will be central to their ambitions in the upcoming stages.
