We cannot let our heads drop, says Talisca

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

We cannot let our heads drop, says Talisca

Saitama: Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Talisca has called on his team to bounce back following Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat to Urawa Red Diamonds in the first leg of their AFC Champions League semi-final.

Brazilian star Talisca’s previous visit to Japan just a fortnight ago culminated in individual and team joy.

The 6’3” man rose highest at a corner to head home what proved to be the match-winner in Guangzhou’s away goals victory against Continental champions Kashima Antlers in the quarter-finals.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/semi-final_-_1st_leg_urawa_red_diamonds_vs_guangzhou_evergrande.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/talisca_3.html

ACL 2019 Allianz Goal of the Week: Mohammed Al Shalhoub (Al Hilal SFC)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ACL 2019 Allianz Goal of the Week: Mohammed Al Shalhoub (Al Hilal SFC)

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com announced on Friday that Al Hilal's Mohammed Al Shalhoub is the winner of this week’s Goal of the Week presented by Allianz for the 2019 AFC Champions League semi-final first legs.

Analysis: Urawa claim deserved first-leg advantage

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Urawa claim deserved first-leg advantage

Saitama: Stunning long-range strikes from Fabricio and Takahiro Sekine saw Urawa Red Diamonds secure a 2-0 victory over Guangzhou Evergrande in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League semi-finals at Saitama Stadium on Wednesday. 

In the battle of the two-time champions, the hosts’ victory was no more than they deserved and Tsuyoshi Otsuki’s team will travel to Guangzhou’s Tianhe Stadium in three weeks’ time in a strong position.

Our 12th man was the difference, says Urawa's Sekine

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Our 12th man was the difference, says Urawa's Sekine

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds winger Takahiro Sekine hailed the club's loyal supporters after a passionate home crowd helped the J.League side to a 2-0 win over Guangzhou Evergrande in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League semi-final on Wednesday.

It has been a tough time to be both a Urawa Reds player and supporter of late. A torrid run of form in their domestic championship has seen the Saitama side drop to the lower echelons of the league, go 10 matches without a win in all compeitions, get knocked out of the Emperor's Cup by a fourth tier side, and fail to keep a cleansheet since June 6.

And yet in the 2019 AFC Champions League, the two-time Asian champions continue to defy form and expectations alike.

A run to their fourth semi-final at the expense of high-flyers Ulsan Hyundai and Shanghai SIPG was followed up at Saitama Stadium with another impressive performance as they defeated the Chinese Super League leaders Guangzhou 2-0 to take a firm hold on the tie.

Urawa's job not done yet, says Otsuki

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Urawa's job not done yet, says Otsuki

Saitama: Tsuyoshi Otsuki was refusing to celebrate after seeing his Urawa Red Diamonds side secure an impressive 2-0 win over Guangzhou Evergrande on Wednesday that left the former champions on the verge of qualifying for the final of the 2019 AFC Champions League.  

Goals from Fabricio and Takahiro Sekine earned Urawa a first leg advantage in the semi-final over the Chinese Super League leaders, but Otsuki maintained an air of caution with the second leg at Guangzhou’s Tianhe Stadium still to be played later this month.

Semi-final - 1st Leg: Urawa Red Diamonds 2-0 Guangzhou Evergrande

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Semi-final - 1st Leg: Urawa Red Diamonds 2-0 Guangzhou Evergrande

Saitama: Spectacular strikes from Fabricio and Takahiro Sekine earned Urawa Red Diamonds a 2-0 first leg advantage over Guangzhou Evergrande in the semi-finals of the 2019 AFC Champions League on Wednesday as the Japanese side edged towards a third appearance in the final.

Fabricio put Urawa ahead 19 minutes into the game and Sekine doubled his side’s lead in the 75th minute to give Tsuyoshi Otsuki’s team a significant advantage ahead of the second leg at Guangzhou’s Tianhe Stadium on October 23.

Both clubs are looking to secure a record third AFC Champions League title and will face the winners of the meeting between Qatar’s Al Sadd and Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia, with the club from Riyadh holding a 4-1 lead in that tie following their victory on Tuesday.

Cannavaro vows to get Guangzhou back on track

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Cannavaro vows to get Guangzhou back on track

Saitama: Fabio Cannavaro vowed to work to arrest his Guangzhou Evergrande side’s current slump in form after Urawa Red Diamonds handed the Chinese Super League leaders a 2-0 defeat in the first leg of their 2019 AFC Champions League semi-final on Wednesday to leave their continental title hopes hanging by a thread.

The defeat extended Guangzhou’s winless run to six straight games in all competitions and means Cannavaro’s side will need to mount a major comeback in the second leg at Tianhe Stadium on October 23 if they are to progress to the final and keep alive their hopes of a record third AFC Champions League crown.