{
  "id": 17733663,
  "title": "AFC Elite Champions League West: Round four kicks off today",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/afc-elite-champions-league-west-round-four-kicks-off-today",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-02T02:51:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Ajel English",
    "slug": "ajel-english",
    "url": "https://english.ajel.sa/sports/irsyusjkh"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The AFC Elite Champions League West Zone's fourth round kicks off with six matches on Monday, culminating in two more games on Tuesday. Saudi club Al-Nassr takes the stage first, playing away against Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor in Tashkent. Al-Nassr, currently having earned one win and one loss, aims for a second victory to climb the standings. Al-Ahli of Saudi, the titleholders, face Qatar's Al-Sadd in Doha, while Al-Wasl of the UAE meets Iraq's Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya in Dubai. Tractor from Iran takes on Uzbekistan's Neftchi in Muscat, Al-Gharafa of Qatar hosts Saudi Arabia's Al-Qadsiah in Al-Rayyan, and Saudi club Al-Ittihad welcomes the UAE's Al-Ain in Jeddah. On Tuesday, Esteghlal of Iran competes against Qatar's Al-Shamal in Basra, while Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal hosts the UAE's Shabab Al-Ahli in Riyadh. Al-Ain leads the table with nine points from three matches, followed by Shabab Al-Ahli on goal difference. Al-Ahli, third, has seven points, with Esteghlal and Al-Hilal sharing six points each. Al-Shamal and Al-Qadsiah have five points, with Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr on four points. Al-Nassr has three points from two matches, tied with Neftchi and Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya. Pakhtakor has two points, and Tractor and Al-Sadd each register one point. Al-Gharafa and Al-Wasl are at the bottom with no points. These crucial fixtures come as several teams are closely matched in the standings, all striving to bolster their positions and secure qualification for the next stage.",
  "summary": "The fourth round of the AFC Elite Champions League West Zone begins today with six matches, as teams aim to climb the standings.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "Why Cristiano Ronaldo is missing Al Nassr's Asian Champions League clash",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/why-cristiano-ronaldo-is-missing-al-nassrs-asian-champions-league",
        "published": "2026-11-01T03:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The National Business",
        "title": "Cristiano Ronaldo given night off by Al Nassr while Al Ain bid to stay perfect in AFC Champions League",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/cristiano-ronaldo-given-night-off-by-al-nassr-while-al-ain-bid-to",
        "published": "2026-11-01T07:46:40.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}