AFC Champions League Two: Where Al Nassr and Al Ahli Stand in the Current Points Table

What will hopefully become a long AFC Champions League Two campaign has already made its first snap around the table, and with two Saudi heavyweights entering the group stage on opposite feet in Group A, we are already off to the races. Al Nassr, meanwhile, charged to the summit of their group following a comfortable victory, whilst Al Ahli were forced to share the spoils in a scrappy first match.Al Nassr continued their impressive Group D start with a 5-0 win in their opening clash against Istiklol. Apart from earning three crucial points, the emphatic win also provided a hefty +5 goal difference, which has them sitting very comfortably at the top of their group. They were aggressive and clinical in front of the goal, scoring five and not conceding a goal while doing it.Al Nassr's chances in the competition just became a lot more interesting thanks to this performance. Group rivals of theirs, Al-Zawraa, also earned three points after beating Goa 2-0, so the early battle for first place could get tight in the next matchdays. Goa and Istiklol, on the other hand, have failed to get off the mark and find themselves at the foot of the table with no points to their name.Now, they will have to build on this momentum for Al Nassr. A slick start and a nice cushion on the goal differential, and they are firmly positioned to make an early push for a spot in the knockout rounds.Also Read: Will Cristiano Ronaldo finally make his AFC Champions League 2 debut against Al Zawraa or FC Goa?Al Ahli's Group B effort started more sedately in a scoreless draw. And so they remain on one point, joined on that total by Khalidiya, Andijan, and Arkadag, the quartet all have identical records after Matchday 1. With everyone on zero goal difference, it's still all to play for in a finely balanced group.Although Al Ahli escaped falling behind with exciting attacking play, they must showcase more forward quality if they are to secure their grip on the group. That result leaves them on level terms with their rivals, although the loss of points is sure to weigh on them with only a few group games left in the schedule.