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Saudi Clubs to Go to Iran for Asian Champions League

Al Nassr, Ronaldo's team, is scheduled to play Persepolis in Tehran on Sept. 19. AFP
Al Nassr, Ronaldo's team, is scheduled to play Persepolis in Tehran on Sept. 19. AFP
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Saudi Clubs to Go to Iran for Asian Champions League

Al Nassr, Ronaldo's team, is scheduled to play Persepolis in Tehran on Sept. 19. AFP
Al Nassr, Ronaldo's team, is scheduled to play Persepolis in Tehran on Sept. 19. AFP

The Asian Football Confederation has praised “a groundbreaking agreement” between the Saudi and Iranian soccer federations that lets their teams host each other in home and away games instead of seeking neutral ground.

Al Nassr, Ronaldo's team, is scheduled to play Persepolis in Tehran on Sept. 19. The return game on Nov. 27 will be played in Riyadh.

The 2015 Asian Champions League edition was the last time Saudi and Iranian teams faced each other on home turf in the group stage or knockout rounds.

The Asian Champions League draw was held on Aug. 24 and created Iran-Saudi matches in three of the five groups in the western part of the continent. Five more four-team groups play in the east region.

Al Hilal, Neymar's team, is scheduled to play in Iran against Nassaji Mazandaran on Oct. 2. Al Ittihad, Benzema’s team, is scheduled to face Sepahan on the same day.

The return games in Saudi Arabia are set for Dec. 12.

“Passionate fans across Saudi Arabia, Iran and the whole of Asia can now look forward to a thrilling new chapter in club and national team football,” the AFC said Monday, adding the countries’ teams will “battle in the spirit of competition and camaraderie.”

At the men’s national team level, Saudi Arabia and Iran last faced each other in 2012.

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Savinho in Tears While Being Carried Off on Stretcher to Add to Man City's Injury Crisis

Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Round of 16 - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 30, 2024 Manchester City's Savinho reacts in a stretcher after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Round of 16 - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 30, 2024 Manchester City's Savinho reacts in a stretcher after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
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Savinho in Tears While Being Carried Off on Stretcher to Add to Man City's Injury Crisis

Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Round of 16 - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 30, 2024 Manchester City's Savinho reacts in a stretcher after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Dylan Martinez
Soccer Football - Carabao Cup - Round of 16 - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - October 30, 2024 Manchester City's Savinho reacts in a stretcher after sustaining an injury REUTERS/Dylan Martinez

Manchester City winger Savinho was carried off on a stretcher during the 2-1 loss at Tottenham in the English League Cup on Wednesday, adding to the injury crisis enveloping the Premier League champions.
“Tomorrow we have two ’keepers and Erling Haaland for a training session, the rest we don’t have,” City manager Pep Guardiola said, according to The Associated Press.
Savinho was in tears and consoled by teammates as he was being carried off the field in the 63rd minute after hurting his right ankle following a driving run into the penalty area.
Guardiola said the Brazil winger will find out on Thursday the extent of the injury. City also lost Manuel Akanji in the warmup, with the center back having been a doubt coming into the game because of a knee issue.
Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish, Kyle Walker, Jeremy Doku and Oscar Bobb were already on the injury list, while Guardiola said Ruben Dias has been playing through a problem.
Rodri, who won the Ballon d'Or award Monday, has been ruled out for the season with an ACL injury, while Guardiola said De Bruyne, Grealish and Walker wouldn't be back until after the next international break.
Guardiola said the injury situation was the worst he has experienced in his time at the club since arriving in 2016.
“We are 13 players," he said. "We are in real difficulty but we have to make the effort. The guys who played, most finished with problems and we will see how they recover.
“I think when we are in trouble like we are — because in nine years, I've never in this situation had this many injuries for this many reasons — in these situations, the players make a step forward. They are more together than ever.”
City leads the Premier League by a point from Liverpool after nine games.
Tottenham also picked up two injuries — to Micky van de Ven and Timo Werner. Van de Ven was a hamstring issue, coach Ange Postecoglou said, while Werner's might just have been fatigue.