Goa is gearing up for its AFC Champions League Two clash against Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr FC, as two senior officials from the club arrived in the state on Thursday to inspect facilities ahead of the October 22 match.
Al-Nassr, captained by five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, has created a massive buzz ahead of the fixture, though there is no confirmation yet about Ronaldo’s presence in Goa for the clash.
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“The logistics officer and first team operations head are both in Goa to inspect facilities,” a source told TOI. “They will assess the state’s preparedness and report back to their club. Important meetings are lined up on Friday before their departure later in the night.”
During their visit, the officials checked shortlisted hotels in South Goa and visited the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. On Friday, they are scheduled to meet Goa Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar at the Secretariat, followed by discussions with the airport director to ensure a seamless arrival for the team.
Al-Nassr boasts stars like Sadio Mane (Liverpool), Joao Felix (Chelsea), Inigo Martinez (Barcelona), and Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), but none match the global pull of Ronaldo, who has won five Ballon d’Or awards, five Champions Leagues, and the European Championship.
In the four-team ACL 2 group, FC Goa currently sits at the bottom with no points and no goals after two matches, while Al-Nassr leads the group with two wins. Al Zawraa and FC Istiklol both have three points each following victories against Goa.
With the delegation’s visit and Friday meetings with state authorities, Goa is finalising preparations to host the Saudi giants and ensure the event runs smoothly.
