The stage is set for the first AFC Women’s Champions League matches in Saudi Arabia, with Women’s Premier League champions Al-Nassr preparing to become the first women’s side from the Kingdom to participate in the competition.
The Riyadh club will debut in Group A of the competition’s preliminary stage on Sunday night at Al-Awwal Park against Myawady Women FC, the domestic champions of Myanmar.
Al-Nassr head coach Sandro Mendes believes his side has what it takes to compete in Asia’s premier women’s club competition.
He said, “We know the teams we are facing; we’ve done our homework. We’ll take it game by game, but we are Al-Nassr, and we’re ready to compete.”
According to ARAB News, the two-time Saudi Arabian league champions will then face Young Elephants of Laos and Abu Dhabi Country Club, champions of the UAE’s domestic women’s league, to round out the group.
With the official start to the Saudi Arabian Women’s Premier League in September, Mendes’ side has prepared for the challenge of qualifying for the next stage of the top women’s club competition in Asian football.
“It’s our first official game of the season, but we are ready. We’ve had a good preseason in Spain and added some strong international players with experience to the squad, so we hope to progress to the next stage.”
Brazilian defender Kathellen Sousa, who arrived from Spanish side Real Madrid Femenino during the summer window, is among the Riyadh team’s new signings.
Sousa added: “From my few weeks of training with the team, it’s clear that Al-Nassr doesn’t just come to compete and participate. We’re ready to give our all in every match and go for the win.”
The Brazilian international, who competed in last season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League with her former club, is looking forward to making an impact on her debut in the club’s first appearance in Asia’s top women’s club competition.
She added, “For me, every player wants to make history for the club. Every competition is different, but you always want to win and make history at a big club. So, hopefully, we can take the first step in this competition”.
