Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Cup returns to action in the days ahead with teams from all five zones taking to the playing field in what is sure to be another hotly contested round of fixtures.
With games in the ASEAN and West Zones likely to go a long way towards deciding some teams' fates and sides in the Central, South and East Zones looking to place themselves in strong positions in the early stages of their group campaigns, the-AFC.com highlights five things to look out for in the coming week.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After kicking off their 2018 AFC Cup campaigns last week, the sides from the Central, South and East Zones are set to play their second round of fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Among the highlights last week was a debut victory for Benfica Macau in Group I, while last year’s runners-up FC Istiklol of Tajikistan also got off to a winning start in Group D.
After their opening game was postponed, 2016 runners-up JSW Bengaluru of India play their first game in Group E on Wednesday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The three groups in the ASEAN Zone of the AFC Cup return on Tuesday and Wednesday as Matchday Four follows hot on the heels of last week’s rounds of fixtures.
Ceres Negros, Yangon United and Song Lam Nghe An look good at the top of Groups F, G and H respectively, after giving the chasing packs plenty to do in order to catch them.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The three groups in the West Zone of the AFC Cup are starting to take shape ahead of the 12 sides’ return to action for Matchday Four on Monday and Tuesday.
On Monday, the four teams in Group B take to the field, before Groups A and C resume on Tuesday in what could be a tournament-defining week for some of the clubs.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jakarta: Croatian striker Marko Simic insists the passionate Persija Jakarta fans can drive the club into the next stage of the AFC Cup.
Tuesday's hard fought 0-0 draw away at Group H leaders Song Lam Nghe An puts Persija Jakarta right back into the reckoning for a place in the AFC Cup knockout stage ahead of two vital home ties, according to their number 9 Marko Simic.
The Indonesians endured an opener to forget on February 14 when they lost 3-0 away at Johor Darul Ta'zim of Malaysia, but the Matchday Three draw in Vietnam was a solid follow-up to the 4-1 win over Singapore's Tampines Rovers in Jakarta.
Crucially, Simic and his side now have two consecutive fixtures on their own turf, where they will look for the fans to turn out again in numbers after the Persija fans broke an AFC Cup Group Stage attendance record against Tampines.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: He is one of the greatest footballers in the history of Romania, but the mention of Ilie Balaci’s name also turns heads across West Asia where he is considered one of the region’s most successful coaches. The current Al Suwaiq boss brings a long a wealth of experience to the Omani side as they look to navigate the 2018 AFC Cup.
A silky midfielder with a wand of a right foot, ‘the Blonde Wonder’ as he was nicknamed, made his bow for Romania aged just 17 in 1974; a national record for youngest debutant that lasted until 2014. 65 caps later, Balaci retired as one of the greatest players his country has ever produced.
After hanging his boots in 1988, the Romanian’s coaching career took him to Tunisia as a 33-year-old. Instant success ensued as he led Club Africain to become African champions in 1991. An impressive spell in Morocco further proved the young manager’s credentials and he was soon the subject of great interest from Asian clubs.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Macau: Benfica de Macau coach Bernardo Tavares hailed his team after their maiden AFC Cup win over Chinese Taipei's Hang Yuen.
Macau Olympic Stadium was host to a significant piece of history on Wednesday when, for the first time, both Macau and Chinese Taipei were represented in the AFC Cup Group Stage.
And it proved to be a memorable debut, for the home side in particular, as coach Bernardo Tavares guided his Benfica de Macau team to 3-2 comeback win after going into halftime two goals down to visitors Hang Yuen FC.