It was a game of two halves, says Al Hilal's Lucescu

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

It was a game of two halves, says Al Hilal's Lucescu

Jeddah: Al Hilal’s 4-2 away victory over Al Ahli in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 was a game of two halves according to head coach Razvan Lucescu.

The two-time finalists earned a valuable victory at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium thanks to a hat-trick from Bafetimbi Gomis and a late strike from substitute Abdullah Al Hafith.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/round_of_16_-_1st_leg_al_ahli_saudi_fc_vs_al_hilal_sfc.html

Round of 16 - 1st Leg: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 2-4 Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Round of 16 - 1st Leg: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 2-4 Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Jeddah: Birthday boy Bafétimbi Gomis was the hero of the night with a hat-trick as Al Hilal SFC came from behind twice to defeat Al Ahli Saudi FC 4-2 in their 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 first leg tie on Tuesday.

It was a birthday to remember for Frenchman Gomis, who turned 34 on Tuesday, as Al Hilal took a commanding lead in the showdown against their Saudi Arabian rivals.

The winners will face either another Saudi Arabia side Al Ittihad or Zobahan FC of Islamic Republic of Iran in the quarter-finals.

Xavi disappointed not to win on managerial debut

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Xavi disappointed not to win on managerial debut

Al Wakrah: Al Sadd head coach Xavi has expressed disappointment with his side’s 1-1 draw against domestic rivals Al Duhail in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 on Tuesday.

The former club captain got his managerial career underway against the same side he ended his playing career against just two months earlier before transitioning from the pitch to the dugout.

In June’s Emir of Qatar Cup final, Al Sadd where on the receiving end of a 4-1 defeat, but on Tuesday they walked away with a valuable away goal and a draw.

Akram Afif struck first for Al Sadd after half an hour at Al Janoub Stadium, drilling home Jung Woo-young’s chipped pass. Msakni levelled the scoring in the second half to set up an intriguing return leg in Doha next week.

Vitoria rues lost opportunity after Al Wahda draw

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vitoria rues lost opportunity after Al Wahda draw

Riyadh: Al Nassr coach Rui Vitoria rued missed chances after his side were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Wahda in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 on Monday.

Abderrazak Hamdallah’s flying header gave Al Nassr the lead in the 17th minute, but Leonardo’s ninth goal of the campaign earned visitors Al Wahda the draw in the 53rd minute, leaving Al Nassr to face a complicated trip to Abu Dhabi next week.

We will only get better, says Al Ittihad's Sierra

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

We will only get better, says Al Ittihad's Sierra

Dubai: Al Ittihad coach Jose Luis Sierra expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance in the 2-1 victory over Zobahan FC in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 on Monday.

After going behind to a Ghasem Haddadifar strike inside the opening 10 minutes, the two-time AFC Champions League winners came from behind to snatch a ‘home’ victory in the game held at Dubai’s Zabeel Stadium.

Goals from new signing Luis Antonio Jimenez and defender Ziyad Al Sahafi helped Sierra’s men end Zobahan’s six-game unbeaten run in the AFC Champions League.

Round of 16 - 1st Leg: Al Nassr (KSA) 1-1 Al Wahda FSCC (UAE)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Round of 16 - 1st Leg: Al Nassr (KSA) 1-1 Al Wahda FSCC (UAE)

Riyadh: Leonardo's 53rd minute strike helped Al Wahda FSCC of the United Arab Emirates hold Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw in their 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 first leg tie on Monday.

It was Brazilian Leonardo's ninth goal of the campaign and leaves Al Wahda well placed ahead of the return leg on August 12. Abderrazak Hamdallah had given Al Nassr the lead in the 17th minute.

The winners will go on to face either Al Duhail or Al Sadd, both of Qatar, in the quarter-finals.

Round of 16 - 1st Leg: Al Ittihad (KSA) 2-1 Zobahan FC (IRN)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Round of 16 - 1st Leg: Al Ittihad (KSA) 2-1 Zobahan FC (IRN)

Dubai: Zobahan FC got a valuable away goal, but it was Al Ittihad who walked away with a 2-1 win at the Zabeel Stadium in the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 on Monday.

The eventual winners of the last 16 tie - the return leg will be played on August 12 - will face either Al Ahli Saudi FC or Al Hilal SFC in the quarter-finals.

The defeat was Zobahan's first in the 2019 AFC Champions League, having won three and drawn three matches in the group stage.