{
  "id": 13877865,
  "title": "Ivan Toney in outstanding form but UAE’s Al Wasl can cause upset: AFC Champions League talking points",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/ivan-toney-in-outstanding-form-but-uaes-al-wasl-can-cause-upset-afc-13877865",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-12T04:22:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The National UAE",
    "slug": "the-national-uae",
    "url": "https://www.thenationalnews.com/sport/football/2026/10/12/ivan-toney-in-outstanding-form-but-uaes-al-wasl-can-cause-upset-afc-champions-league-talking-points/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The upcoming AFC Champions League Elite season promises intriguing matchups, with UAE clubs potentially posing a significant threat to their Saudi counterparts. Al Ain, known for their dominant performance against Al Nassr, will face challenges in their first match against Al Wasl. Despite losing to Al Wasl in the Adib Cup, Al Wasl has shown resilience, scoring 11 goals in their first eight games of the Saudi Pro League. Meanwhile, Al Wasl's coach, Marino Pusic, inherits a team without key players like Franck Kessie and Riyad Mahrez. Al Wasl's performance against Al Quwa Al Jawiya in Basra will be crucial in reshaping their focus. Shabab Al Ahli, the 2024/25 UAE double winners, will attempt to avenge their loss in the semi-final of last season's Champions League, facing Al Ittihad at King Abdullah Sports City. The 2024/25 UAE double winners' recent loss to Saudi Arabia in the Gulf Cup final adds to the pressure on them to secure a positive result.",
  "summary": "UAE clubs might have been battling to bridge the gap to their star-studded Saudi Arabian rivals in recent seasons. But there are signs that sides from the Emirates could challenge for honours in the AFC Champions League again this term. Al Ain made a major statement when they thrashed Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr 4-0 on the opening day of the AFC Champions League Elite season last month. Now Al…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Ivan Toney in outstanding form but UAE’s Al Wasl can cause upset: AFC Champions League talking points",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/ivan-toney-in-outstanding-form-but-uaes-al-wasl-can-cause-upset-afc",
        "published": "2026-10-12T04:22:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}