On a tense and dramatic night in the AFC Champions League, Al Nassr suffered a heartbreaking defeat as they were knocked out of the competition via a penalty shootout. The Saudi Arabian club had fought valiantly throughout the match, but ultimately fell short in the crucial moments.
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both teams giving their all to secure a spot in the next round. Al Nassr showed great determination and skill on the field, but luck was not on their side as they failed to convert their chances into goals.
Al Nassr overturned a 1-0 first leg deficit to win 4-3 on Monday but with the contest ending 4-4 on aggregate, the players headed into a shootout from which Al-Ain prevailed.
Foreign imports Miroslav Brozovic, Alex Telles and Otavio all failed to score from the spot for Al Nassr as the side from the United Arab Emirates advanced to the semifinals, where they will face either Al Hilal or Al Ittihad -- both from Saudi Arabia -- next month.
Al Ain are the first confirmed semi-finalist, with just one team from Saudi Arabia confirmed to be in the last four.
Al Hilal hold a two-goal advantage over fellow Saudi side Al Ittihad in their last eight tie, while Tuesday will also see the return leg between South Korean side Ulsan and domestic rivals Jeonbuk Motors, with the score tied at 1-1. Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan lead Chinese side Shandong Taishan 2-1 at the halfway stage of the other quarter-final tie.
Ronaldo was Al Nassr's third penalty taker in the shootout and his team were 2-0 down by the time he stepped up.
His successful conversion gave Al Nassr a glimmer of hope but that disappeared when Otavio fired wide moments later.
In the eastern half of the draw, South Korean sides Jeonbuk Motors and Ulsan Hyundai will meet on Tuesday after sharing a 1-1 draw last week.
On Wednesday, Harry Kewell's Yokohama F Marinos side will hope to defend a 2-1 lead on home soil when they face Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan.
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