Postecoglou concerned by Coman injury as Al Nassr avoid competition priorities

Ange Postecoglou says Kingsley Coman’s injury is a concern after Al Nassr beat Neftchi Fergana 3-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite.

The victory was Al Nassr’s first in the league stage, following their unexpected 4-0 defeat by Al Ain in the opening round. It moved the Saudi club to three points in seventh place in the West section, level with Neftchi Fergana.

Coman impressed during the match but was forced off with an injury, leaving Postecoglou hoping the problem is not serious.

“We achieved an important victory for us,” Postecoglou said at his post-match news conference. “The last two matches have been good, but Coman was injured today. That is one of the situations we face, and it concerns me.”

He added: “Coman produced a good performance, and we hope his injury is not a worrying one. Our objective is to win every match we play.”

Al Nassr used their strongest available line-up despite an important Saudi Pro League fixture against Al Ahli approaching. Postecoglou said his side would not put one competition ahead of another.

“We do not prioritise one competition over another,” he said. “All competitions are important to us, and the Asian competition is strong as well.

“We now have an important match against Al Ahli, so we must focus on it and prepare properly.”

Cristiano Ronaldo opened his scoring account in this season’s AFC Champions League Elite with Al Nassr’s second goal against the Uzbek side.

The strike took Ronaldo’s total for Al Nassr in Asian competitions to 16, bringing him level with former team-mate Abderrazak Hamdallah at the top of the club’s all-time scoring chart in Asia.

Anderson Talisca, the former Al Nassr forward, is third on the list with 11 goals.

The match in Riyadh began an hour later than scheduled after the sound of sirens raised security concerns. Kick-off was moved to 22:15 local time instead of 21:15.

Ronaldo celebrated the win wearing a Saudi scarf after the final whistle.

Al Nassr’s next fixture is against UAE side Al Wasl on 26 October. Neftchi Fergana will host Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad in their next match.