After an hour's delay: Al-Nassr's match against Nevitchi gets under way in Asia

What happened?

Al Nassr's clash with Uzbekistan's Neftchi finally got under way on Monday evening in the second round of the AFC Champions League Elite, roughly an hour later than scheduled. Security developments in Riyadh forced the delay, and the Asian Football Confederation only gave the green light once the situation had stabilised.

Read also.. A ballistic missile delays the kick-off of Al Nassr's match in the AFC Champions League Elite!

Saudi newspaper Al-Riyadiyah reported that the hold-up coincided with an announcement from the coalition forces spokesperson confirming the interception and destruction of a ballistic missile launched towards Riyadh. Procedures had to be followed. Fans and players were already inside Al-Awwal Park, waiting for the match to begin.

The AFC allows the match to start after the delay

Once officials confirmed the security situation had stabilised, the match was cleared to go ahead an hour or so late. That call let both sides get on with a continental tie that matters enormously to Al Nassr, who are trying to atone for dropping points in their opening game of the competition.

Stadium announcers worked to keep the crowd calm during the wait, urging supporters to stay in their seats, not to panic and not to leave Al-Awwal Park. The situation was safe, they insisted, as anticipation built in the stands.

Normality returned after the wait. Al Nassr and Neftchi played out their second-round fixture in front of a big crowd, with security developments having gatecrashed the build-up before a ball was kicked.