In the fifth round of the AFC-2 Champions League group stage, Istiklol suffered a significant 0:4 defeat against Al-Nasr at the Central Stadium in Hissar. Despite high expectations from their home supporters, Istiklol struggled against Al-Nasr's superior class, speed, and physicality. Joao Felix and Muhammad Simakan's goals secured an early lead for Al-Nasr.
Istiklol's attempts to rally after halftime were futile, with Sadio Mane and Ayman Yahya adding to the scoreline. The reasons behind Istiklol's defeat included the speed difference, Al-Nasr's squad depth, and the challenging high tempo of the game. Despite this setback, Istiklol still has a chance to advance to the playoffs by defeating Goa in their upcoming match. To improve their performance, Istiklol needs to focus on enhancing midfield aggression, reducing defensive errors, and effectively utilizing set-pieces and flank attacks.
