Uzbek fans predict Al-Ittihad win over Navbahor in AFC Champions League

Ittihad's French forward #09 Karim Benzema (L) and Ittihad's French midfielder #07 N'Golo Kante (2R) celebrate after a goal during the FIFA Club World Cup first round football match (AFP)
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  • Young fans interviewed on the streets of Tashkent revealed their rising interest in Rosh Saudi League clubs

TASHKENT: Football fans in Uzbekistan have revealed their admiration for ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵn football ahead of Al-Ittihad’s AFC Champions League Round of 16 first leg against Navbahor on Thursday night, Arriyadiyah has reported.

The Roshn Saudi League enjoys a high degree of popularity in the central Asian nation and a number of young fans interviewed on the streets of Tashkent conceded that the reigning Saudi champions are heavy favorites to beat Navbahor when they clash in the city of Namagan, a four-hour drive to the east of the capital.

 

 

The fans revealed that the popularity of Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr and Al-Ittihad, in particular, has risen since the influx of international stars over the last year.

Not surprisingly, many highlighted Al-Nassr as their favorite Saudi team thanks to the exploits of Cristiano Ronaldo, while others praised the Brazilian Fabinho and Frenchman N’Golo Kante at Al-Ittihad and Al-Hilal’s array of foreign stars, led by Neymar.

Most of the fans interviewed by Arriyadiyah on Babur Street emphasized their interest in the AFC Champions League, predicting an Al-Ittihad win against Navbahor over the two legs, referencing Al-Hilal’s recent 2-0 win against the same opponents in the group stage.

The return leg will see Al-Ittihad host Navbahor in Jeddah on Feb. 22.