Group Stage: The Stats Wrap

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group Stage: The Stats Wrap

Kuala Lumpur: The group stage of the 2019 AFC Champions League has now drawn to a close, with 16 teams progressing to the knockout rounds and 16 sides exiting. 

The Continental competition will not return until mid-June but there remain plenty of talking points, not least the-AFC.com’s look back at the facts and figures that have caught the eye so far.

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Xavi takes charge of Al Sadd

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Xavi takes charge of Al Sadd

Doha: Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd SC have named Spain and Barcelona great Xavi as head coach on a two-year contract.

FIFA World Cup winner Xavi, who played his last competitive match in a 2019 AFC Champions League tie against Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis on May 20, had announced his retirement on May 2.

Group A: Zobahan FC (IRN) 0-0 Al Nassr (KSA)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group A: Zobahan FC (IRN) 0-0 Al Nassr (KSA)

Doha: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Zobahan FC secured top spot Group A of the 2019 AFC Champion League fter playing out a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nasr at the Grand Hamad Stadium on Wednesday.

The rescheduled Matchday Six fixture had been supposed to take place a week earlier in Karbala, but due to security concerns, it was postponed and moved to Qatar.

Both teams had already advanced to the next stage, so it was an opportunity for the two managers to experiment with their choices in what was the last fixture of their respective seasons.

Urawa Reds part ways with manager Oliveira

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Urawa Reds part ways with manager Oliveira

Tokyo: Urawa Red Diamonds have released head coach Oswaldo Oliveira from his contract, the J-League side announced on Tuesday.

The two-time AFC champions League winners said Tsuyoshi Otsuki will assume the role of head coach, having been an assistant to Brazilian Oliveira.

Kashima Antlers to build on experience, says Oiwa

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kashima Antlers to build on experience, says Oiwa

Ibaraki: Kashima Antlers head coach Go Oiwa expects his team to learn the lessons of a challenging group phase in the 2019 AFC Champions League after the defending champions squeezed into the last 16 on Wednesday.

Substitute Sho Ito scored twice to earn Kashima a 2-1 win over Shandong Luneng and a place in the next round, when they will play fellow J.League side Sanfrecce Hiroshima over two legs in June.

Matchday Six: The Week In Numbers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday Six: The Week In Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: Seven of the eight groups in the 2019 AFC Champions League drew to a close last week, with 16 sides set to continue their quest for Continental glory when the knockout rounds begin in four weeks' time.

A further 16 teams – along with Spanish legend Xavi – have now departed the competition. Ahead of the month-long break, here's the-AFC.com's look back at the week in numbers.

Photos: Getty Images

Matchday Six: What They Said

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday Six: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Champions League Group Stage came to an end this week with dramatic and exciting ties across Asia deciding the final 16 teams for the knockout stage.

Sleepless nights, title repeats, super subs, hellos and goodbyes all feature as the-AFC.com talks to those involved in the latest edition of the Continent's most presitigious competition.