Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: On January 23, the road to the 2018 AFC Champions League Group Stage enters its penultimate phase as eight teams go head-to-head. We profile the contenders below.
Muangthong United vs Johor Darul Ta’zim
7:30pm, January 23
Supachalasai National Stadium, Bangkok
MUANGTHONG UNITED
It’s a time of change at the Thai giants, with their four superstars all signing for overseas clubs over the last six months – Chanathip Songkrasin, Theerasil Dangda and Theerathon Bunmathan all to Japan, and Kawin Thamsatchanan to Belgium – although both Teerasil and Theerathon will play in the preliminary rounds before departing for Japan.
That means it will be a largely new-look Muangthong United who host Johor Darul Ta’zim next week, and their headline signing has been that of former Buriram United striker Jajá, who found the back of the net 34 times last season.
Muangthong United hosted Johor Darul Ta’zim at the same stage in 2016, with the match ending 0-0 but the Thai side advancing after a 3-0 win in the penalty shootout. Having made the Round of 16 last year, coach Totchtawan Sripan will be hoping for a similar result next week.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/psi03155_01march2017_pm0064.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/tampines-bali_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/shan-ceres-acl2018_1.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Bali: Bali United overcame stiff resistance from Tampines Rovers FC to seal a spot in the second round of the 2018 AFC Champions League preliminary stage on Tuesday.
Bali United triumphed 3-1 but Singapore club Tampines were no pushovers, drawing level after going a goal down early in the match.
Indonesian side Bali United will play Thailand's Chiangrai United in the second stage of the preliminary round on January 23.
Fadhli Sausu gave Bali United the lead in the 17th minute to send their fans into raptures but Tampines defender Shannon Stephen drew his side level three minutes before the half time break.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Yangon: Ceres Negros of the Philippines beat Shan United FC 4-3 on penalties at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon on Tuesday to seal a place in the second stage of the AFC Champions League 2018 Qualifiers.
Penalties were needed after the match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes of play. Ceres Negros will meet Australia's Brisbane Roar in the second stage of the preliminary round.
After a scoreless 90 minutes, the match burst into life in extra time with Cameroonian William Biassi Nyakwe scoring an own goal in the 94th minute to give 2017 AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal champions Ceres Negros the lead.
Myanmar National League champions Shan United, however, responded four minutes later with Ghanaian forward Patrick Asare equalising for them.
Ceres Negros, however, proved the better of the two teams from the penalty spot and will now face Brisbane Roar on January 23.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The quest to land the biggest purse prize in Asian club football history will begin on Tuesday as the AFC Champions League – the Continent’s premier club competition – returns to action.
The AFC Champions League 2018 kicks off with four clubs gearing up to advance past the Preliminary Stage 1 qualifiers. Myanmar National League champions Shan United FC will play host to Ceres Negros FC from the Philippines at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon at 4pm local time.
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s Liga 1 2017 runners-up Bali United will kick start their maiden appearance in the AFC club competitions when they face Singapore’s Tampines Rovers at the Capt. I Wayan Dipta Stadium at 7.30pm local time.
The winners of this year’s AFC Champions League – which is already one of the richest continental club competitions in world football and is second only to Europe – will receive the competition’s largest-ever reward of US$4m, up from US$3m.
The 2018 runners-up will also get an extra US$500,000 taking the total purse to US$2m, while the AFC Cup winners will also bag a record US$1.5m this year.