Muto: We fear nothing at home fortress

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Muto: We fear nothing at home fortress

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds forward Yuki Muto has insisted that the two-time champions form at Saitama Stadium will help secure victory over Ulsan Hyundai in their AFC Champions League Round of 16 first leg on Wednesday.

The J.League giants have tasted just one defeat in the last 14 AFC Champions League fixtures on home soil and it is this impressive record that helped Urawa to the 2017 Continental title.

And Muto knows that a win on Wednesday over Ulsan would be a big step for the club towards making a fourth appearance in the quarter-finals.

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Round of 16: Ones to Watch

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Round of 16: Ones to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: The Round of 16 kicks off in the East on Tuesday with teams from China PR, Korea Republic and Japan set to go head-to-head in some classic encounters.

The two-legged fixtures will kick off on Tuesday and Wednesday with the return legs the following week. The four winning sides will progress to the quarter-finals at the end of August.

We look at eight players – one from each of the Round of 16 sides in the East – who will be key for their respective teams' chances of victory.

Round of 16 1st Leg: 5 Things To Look Out For

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Round of 16 1st Leg: 5 Things To Look Out For

Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Champions League returns this week, with the eight sides in the East Zone taking to the field for the first legs of their Round of 16 fixtures. 

With five former champions – including the previous four winners – and a pair of same-country clashes, there is plenty to whet the appetite, so the-AFC.com has picked out five things to look out for ahead of the action.

Round of 16 1st Leg: East Zone Preview

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Round of 16 1st Leg: East Zone Preview

Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Champions League resumes in the coming days with the eight remaining teams in the East Zone to play the first legs of their Round of 16 match-ups.

Domestic rivals clash in Japan and China on Tuesday while the 2016 and 2017 champions are among the sides who will take to the field on Wednesday.

Nagaki: Kashima need to raise their game after 'unstable' Group Stage performances

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nagaki: Kashima need to raise their game after 'unstable' Group Stage performances

Ibaraki: Kashima Antlers midfielder Ryota Nagaki admits that the defending champions will need to improve if they wish to keep their AFC Champions League defence going into the quarter-finals ahead of Tuesday's Round of 16 meeting with Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

The holders grip on their Asian crown was close to slipping off completely in the Group Stage of the 2019 edition, but a come-from-behind win over China PR's Shandong Luneng on Matchday Six saw Kashima of Japan extend their stay on the Continental throne until at least the Round of 16.

However, defeating countrymen Sanfrecce and remaining among the final eight will require the Ibaraki club to lift their performances according to Nagaki.

Kim Shin-wook expects tight contest with 'more experienced' Shanghai SIPG

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kim Shin-wook expects tight contest with 'more experienced' Shanghai SIPG

Shanghai: Wednesday's AFC Champion League Round of 16 clash between the champions of Korea Republic and China PR is a repeat of the 2016 quarter-finals, but Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors striker Kim Shin-wook expects a much tighter outcome this time around.

Shanghai SIPG's maiden appearance in the AFC Champions League three years ago was ended in comprehensive fashion when they came up against eventual winners Jeonbuk in the last eight.

After a goalless draw at Shanghai Stadium, the K-League side turned on the style to defeat their Chinese Super League visitors 5-0 in Jeonju to sail into the semi-finals.

Sasaki admits ‘more motivation’ against defending champions Kashima

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sasaki admits ‘more motivation’ against defending champions Kashima

Hiroshima: As Sanfrecce Hiroshima prepare to face domestic rivals Kashima Antlers in the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16, Sho Sasaki has admitted the J.League side have extra motivation being up against the holders.

Sanfrecce will go into the first leg at Kashima Soccer Stadium as the form team in the competition, having won five successive games on the Continent to progress to the last 16 on top of Group F.

Next up is Kashima, whose own qualification to the knockout rounds was only confirmed after a come-from-behind 2-1 victory against Shandong Luneng in their final group game as they have yet to hit top form.