First women Medical Officers appointed in AFC men’s club competition

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

First women Medical Officers appointed in AFC men’s club competition

Doha: Dr. Zohreh Haratian and Dr. Bahar Hassanmirzaei from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Janis Ann Figueroa Espino-De Vera from the Philippines and Dr. Liesel Geertsema from New Zealand have joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) history books by becoming the first women Medical Officers to be appointed in an AFC men’s club competition.

The quartet are among nine Medical Officers including Doping Control Officers working behind the scenes to ensure the safety of players and officials at the AFC Champions League (East) in Doha, Qatar.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/afc_cup_2019_women_referees_3.html

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

Davidson: I was praying for Ulsan Hyundai to be drawn with Perth Glory in AFC Champions League

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Davidson: I was praying for Ulsan Hyundai to be drawn with Perth Glory in AFC Champions League

Doha: He helped Perth Glory reach the AFC Champions League for the first time in the club’s history, now Ulsan Hyundai left-back Jason Davidson is preparing to plot his former club’s downfall when the two teams meet on Tuesday.

A standout player in the 2018-19 A-League season which booked Perth’s place in this year’s Asian showpiece, Davidson was snapped up by Ulsan last June, helping the Korean club finish second in both the 2019 and 2020 K League 1 seasons.

Now, his two most recent employers are set to come face to face eight months later than scheduled, and the 2015 AFC Asian Cup winner admits his patience has been tested by the long wait for his reunion with his former colleagues.

FC Tokyo’s Hasegawa wary of Shanghai Shenhua’s local talent ahead of AFC Champions League clash

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

FC Tokyo’s Hasegawa wary of Shanghai Shenhua’s local talent ahead of AFC Champions League clash

FC Tokyo head coach Kenta Hasegawa has brushed off suggestions his side are favourites against an undermanned Shanghai Shenhua FC, saying the Chinese club’s local players will mount a genuine challenge in Tuesday’s 2020 AFC Champions League clash.

With star imports Giovanni Moreno and Kim Shin-wook unlikely to feature, Shenhua will require strong performances from their domestic players in the crucial Group F Matchday Three tie, but Hasegawa refuses to take Choi Kang-hee’s injury-hit squad lightly.

Park rues absences, Cannavaro expresses frustration after AFC Champions League stalemate

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Park rues absences, Cannavaro expresses frustration after AFC Champions League stalemate

Doha: Suwon Samsung Bluewings head coach Park Kun-ha rued the absence of key attacking players as his side failed to find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw against Guangzhou Evergrande at Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday.

Both teams collected their first point of the 2020 AFC Champions League campaign, with Guangzhou Evergrande having played one less match than their opponents.

The Koreans side now face an eight-day wait for their next game, a period during which Guangzhou Evergrande face Group G leaders Vissel Kobe of Japan twice.

End justifies the means for Pereira in Shanghai SIPG's AFC Champions League win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

End justifies the means for Pereira in Shanghai SIPG's AFC Champions League win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Doha: Shanghai SIPG head coach Vitor Pereira insisted his pragmatic approach in his side’s 2-1 win against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Sunday was dictated by the competition’s tight fixtures schedule.

The Chinese Super League side fielded a heavily rotated starting XI with the likes of Hulk, Aaron Mooy and two-goal hero from the previous game Li Shenglong being introduced in the second half.

The Portuguese manager’s plan paid dividends as Shanghai SIPG added a second win in three days to hit six points in Group H of the 2020 AFC Champions League.

Jeonbuk play Australia's Sydney FC on Wednesday while Shanghai SIPG and Yokohama F Marinos will square off in a top-of-the-table clash on the same day.

SIPG’s Lyu happy to reward Pereira’s faith with AFC Champions League goal

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

SIPG’s Lyu happy to reward Pereira’s faith with AFC Champions League goal

Doha: Lyu Wenjun thanked head coach Vitor Pereira for his loyalty after the Shanghai SIPG stalwart earned Player of the Match honours in Sunday’s crucial 2020 AFC Champions League win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

The 2-1 success gives Shanghai SIPG a five-point Group H lead on both Jeonbuk and Sydney FC, putting the Chinese club to within sight of the knockout stage after just two matches.

AFC Champions League (East): What They Said

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League (East): What They Said

Doha: After a prolonged absence, the East Asia sides returned to 2020 AFC Champions League action in exciting fashion with teams playing back-to-back fixtures and providing numerous talking points.

Redemption, unfortunate mistakes, unlikely replacements and two-goal heroes, here's what those involved had to say about the opening weekend of fixtures as the 2020 AFC Champions League (East) resumed in Doha.