AFC Champions League fixtures on Tuesday: When Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane are in action
- 40 teams from 20 nations will compete in the AFC Champions League group stage
- Al Nassr travel to the home of Iranian giants Persepolis on Tuesday
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane have made prolific starts to the season
After outscoring every player in the history of the UEFA Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo will get his first stab at Asia's equivalent on Tuesday night.
Al Nassr's talisman is the leading scorer from the early weeks of the revamped Saudi Pro League, closely followed by his teammate Sadio Mane. Both players have hoisted aloft Europe's big-eared pot and begin their quest for AFC glory in a group stage where only the winners are guaranteed progress to the knockout rounds.
Ronaldo and Mane are at the sharp end of one of 40 clubs from 20 different countries battling it out in Asia's premier club competition. Here's everything you need to know about Tuesday's slate of fixtures.
AFC Champions League fixtures - Tuesday 19 September
Persepolis vs Al Nassr
- Location: Tehran, Iran
- Stadium: Azadi Stadium
- Date: Tuesday 19 September
- Kick-off Time: 19:00 BST / 14:00 ET / 11:00 PT
Reigning and record Iranian champions Persepolis are the lofty opponents for Ronaldo and Mane's ACL bow. The Tehran giants have not conceded a goal scored by an opposition player this season in their quest for a 16th league title.
Persepolis have never won the Champions League but did reach the final as recently as 2018 and 2020.
Ronaldo and Mane bounce into the continental competition in superb form. Both players have scored in each of Al Nassr's last four matches, all of which have ended in victory. However, the prolific duo are not the only star names on the club's roster. Less than four months ago, Marcelo Brozovic started for Inter in the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester City.
Country | TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | N/A |
Ulsan Hyundai vs BG Pathum United
- Location: Ulsan, South Korea
- Stadium: Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium
- Date: Tuesday 19 September
- Kick-off Time: 11:00 BST / 06:00 ET / 03:00 PT
Despite finishing ninth in the Thai top flight last season, BG Pathum United wangled a way into this year's Champions League group stage courtesy of their runners-up position in 2022. Ulsan Hyundai, two-time continental champions, added a South Korean league title to a busy trophy cabinet last year.
Country | TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | N/A |
Yokohama F. Marinos vs Incheon United
- Location: Yokohama, Japan
- Stadium: Yokohama International Stadium
- Date: Tuesday 19 September
- Kick-off Time: 11:00 BST / 06:00 ET / 03:00 PT
Yokohama F. Marinos, one of the clubs under the City Football Group umbrella which includes English champions Manchester City, may have one eye on domestic duties this weekend.
While Incheon United are a middling side in the K-League, Yokohama face third-placed Kashima Antlers on Sunday, with league-leading Vissel Kobe just one point ahead while seven games of the season remain.
Country | TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | N/A |
Kaya FC vs Shandong Taishan
- Location: Manila, Philippines
- Stadium: Rizal Memorial Sports Complex
- Date: Tuesday 19 September
- Kick-off Time: 13:00 BST / 08:00 ET / 05:00 PT
Filipino champions Kaya FC host Chinese side Shandong Taishan. Graziano Pelle has long since moved on from Shandong but the CSL outfit have improved in his absence, going into Tuesday's group opener sitting second in the league.
Country | TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | N/A |
Johor Darul Ta'zim vs Kawasaki Frontale
- Location: Johor Bahru, Malaysia
- Stadium: Sultan Ibrahim Stadium
- Date: Tuesday 19 September
- Kick-off Time: 13:00 BST / 08:00 ET / 05:00 PT
It's safe to say that Johor Darul Ta'zim have outgrown the Malaysia top flight. JDT are on course for a tenth consecutive title and racked up double digits in a cup tie last month.
Kawasaki Frontale may be bouncing around mid-table but the superiority of the J1 League ensures that JDT will actually be tested in this continental clash.
Country | TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | N/A |
Pakhtakor vs Al Ain
- Location: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Stadium: Bunyodkor Stadium
- Date: Tuesday 19 September
- Kick-off Time: 15:00 BST / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
Pakhtakor manager Maksim Shatskikh had plenty of experience as a player in Europe's Champions League with Ukraine's Dynamo Kyiv at the turn of the century, although he was handed the impossible task of replacing the legendary Andriy Shevchenko up front.
Shatskikh's Uzbek champions host UAE outfit Al Ain, who are owned by the nation's president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
Country | TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | N/A |
Istiklol vs Al Duhail
- Location: Dushanbe, Tajikistan
- Stadium: Central Republican Stadium
- Date: Tuesday 19 September
- Kick-off Time: 17:00 BST / 12:00 ET / 09:00 PT
Al Duhail were not one of the Qatari sides to inherit Paris Saint-Germain's cast-offs. Marco Verratti and Abdou Diallo moved to Al Arabi while Al Ahly helped balance PSG's books with the acquisition of Julian Draxler.
Reigning champions Al Duhail only signed one player for a fee this summer. They will take Finnish centre-back Robin Tihi with them on the trip to Tajikistan to face Istiklol on Tuesday.
Country | TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | N/A |
Ahal vs Al Fayha
- Location: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
- Stadium: Ashgabat Stadium
- Date: Tuesday 19 September
- Kick-off Time: 17:00 BST / 12:00 ET / 09:00 PT
After finishing as runners-up five times on the spin, Ahal finally won the Turkmen top flight last year. The long-awaited champions host Saudi side Al Fayha looking for their second-ever Champions League victory.
Country | TV channel/live stream |
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United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Paramount+ |
Canada | N/A |