Ceran lauds ‘history making’ Pakhtakor after AFC Champions League win over Esteghlal

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ceran lauds ‘history making’ Pakhtakor after AFC Champions League win over Esteghlal

Doha: Goals from Dragan Ceran and Erin Derdiyok helped Pakhtakor FC come back from a goal down to defeat Esteghlal FC in the 2020 AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie and reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 11 years.

It was Esteghlal who took the lead at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday courtesy of a well-taken Ali Karimi free-kick half an hour into the game. Ceran’s diving header equalised for Pakhtakor before the break and Derdiyok sealed the win with a half-volleyed strike shortly after the restart.

Pakhtakor had scored just two goals in four group stage games since the resumption of the 2020 AFC Champions League in Qatar, with Derdiyok only scoring in the annulled 2-1 defeat to Al Hilal on Matchday Three, while Ceran’s last goal prior to Saturday dates to February, when he scored in the 2-1 opening matchday win over Shabab Al Ahli.

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Pakhtakor seal AFC Champions League last eight spot with come from behind win over Esteghlal

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Pakhtakor seal AFC Champions League last eight spot with come from behind win over Esteghlal

Doha: Pakhtakor came from behind to defeat Esteghlal FC 2-1 in the 2020 AFC Champions League Round of 16 at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday, a result which sent the Uzbekistan side to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2009.

A physically intense opening half of an hour saw little in the way of scoring chances despite Pakhtakor’s clear dominance.

The Group B leaders had their best chance of the first 30 minutes when Dragan Ceran tested the goalkeeper from long range but Seyed Hossein Hosseini was alert and made the save.

Al Ahli Saudi deserve their place in AFC Champions League quarter-finals, says veteran Abdulghani

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Ahli Saudi deserve their place in AFC Champions League quarter-finals, says veteran Abdulghani

Doha: Veteran defender Hussein Abdulghani said Al Ahli Saudi FC deserved to advance to the 2020 AFC Champions League quarter-finals after defeating UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli on penalties in the Round of 16 on Saturday.. 

The Saudi Pro League side drew level through an Omar Al Soma spot-kick in the 54th minute after having going behind to Azizjon Ganiev effort in the 28th minute and despite both teams having further chances, the tie ended 1-1 after 120 minutes on Saturday.

Al Ahli, however, won the penalty shootout 4-3 after Abdullah Al Naqbi skied Shabab Al Ahli’s final spot-kick at the Al Janoub Stadium.

Al Ahli Saudi edge Shabab Al Ahli on penalties to seal AFC Champions League quarter-final spot

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Ahli Saudi edge Shabab Al Ahli on penalties to seal AFC Champions League quarter-final spot

Doha: Al Ahli Saudi FC advanced to the 2020 AFC Champions League quarter-finals after beating Shabab Al Ahli Dubai FC 4-3 on penalties after the 120 minutes of their Round of 16 clash ended in a 1-1 draw at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.

The two sides had met at the same round in 2017 when Al Ahli emerged 4-2 winners on aggregate to reach the quarter-finals, before exiting at the hands of Persepolis FC.

AFC Champions League (West): Quarter-finalists confirmed

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League (West): Quarter-finalists confirmed

Doha: Persepolis FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia advanced to the 2020 AFC Champions League quarter-finals on Sunday to complete the West Zone line-up.

Persepolis, runners-up in 2018, and Al Nassr joined Al Ahli Saudi FC of Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor, who confirmed their places on Saturday, in the West Zone quarter-finals.

The draw for the knockout stage will take place in Doha at 11:00 local time (UTC +3) on Monday.

Hamdallah stars as Al Nassr beat Al Taawoun to advance to AFC Champions League quarter-finals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hamdallah stars as Al Nassr beat Al Taawoun to advance to AFC Champions League quarter-finals

Doha: Abderrazak Hamdallah’s sixth goal of the 2020 AFC Champions League was enough to send Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr into the quarter-finals with a valuable 1-0 victory over compatriots Al Taawoun FC in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

Al Nassr were looking to make it back-to-back quarter-final appearances, while for Al Taawoun this was their first-ever AFC Champions League knock-out stage appearance.

Late Kasir strike sees Persepolis edge Al Sadd to seal AFC Champions League quarter-final berth

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Late Kasir strike sees Persepolis edge Al Sadd to seal AFC Champions League quarter-final berth

Doha: Persepolis FC left it very late to defeat Al Sadd SC 1-0 in the 2020 AFC Champions League Round of 16, securing their place in the quarter-finals for the third time in four years thanks to an 88th minute Isa Al Kasir header.

The two sides had met in the semi-finals of the 2018 AFC Champions League, with Persepolis emerging 2-1 winners on aggregate to reach the final. Since then, they also exchanged wins in the 2019 group stage.