Ronaldo, Al Nassr’s captain, was absent from the squad for the match in Baghdad. The club had announced a day earlier that the Portuguese star was diagnosed with a viral infection, preventing him from traveling with the team.
Al Nassr, who were eliminated in last season’s Asian Champions League quarter-finals by eventual champions Al Ain, got off to a perfect start in the Iraqi capital. Full-back Sultan Al Ghannam latched onto Otavio’s clever first-time pass in the 14th minute, slotting a low shot past Al Shorta goalkeeper Ahmed Basil.
Ronaldo, since joining Al Nassr, has yet to secure a major trophy with the Saudi club.