Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Kashima Antlers head coach Go Oiwa has his sights set on making history as the reigning champions close in on their 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-final meeting with two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande next month.
No team has won consecutive titles since Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad managed the feat in 2004 and 2005, but Oiwa believes his team has the right mindset to be the first side in 14 years to achieve that momentous milestone.
“We are trying to win back-to-back AFC Champions League titles and we are going into the matches with confidence,” Oiwa told the-AFC.com.
“We’ve changed some players, we have some young players who have grown and gone to a higher level. I’m sure we can win the title again. That’s the feeling within the team, that we have the power to do it.”
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
London: Marko Arnautovic has completed his move from West Ham to Shanghai SIPG for an undisclosed fee, the Premier League club announced on Monday.
The Austrian scored 22 goals in 65 appearances in two seasons at the Hammers, but has been linked with a move to China since January.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Lienz: Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal SFC have been based in Austria since Tuesday for pre-season training before they embark on the next phase of the 2019 AFC Champions League.
The Riyadh club, along with new head coach Răzvan Lucescu, have set up camp in the city of Lienz which will be their base for the duration of their three-week stay in Austria.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manchester: Jose Luis Sierra’s Al Ittihad have begun their training camp in Manchester, England with focus on the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie against Islamic Republic of Iran’s Zobahan FC in August.
Luis Sierra, who took over from Slaven Bilic in February, steered the club out of the relegation zone to finish 10th in the domestic league but the Saudi Arabia club have performed especially well on the continental front.
The Tigers advanced into the knockout rounds of the 2019 AFC Champions League when they took second spot in Group B behind United Arab Emirates’ Al Wahda, to book a Round of 16 clash against Zobahan FC.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Al Wahda FSCC's preparations for the 2019 AFC Champions League knockout stage and new UAE Pro League season are gathering pace with the squad based in the Netherlands since June 25.
Head coach Maurice Steijn is using the camp to familiarise himself with the squad, with the Dutchman having taking over from compatriot Hank ten Cate just two weeks ago.
Steijn has had to hit the ground running as Al Wahda, who finished third in the 2018-19 UAE Pro League, will be in 2019 AFC Champions League action in just under a month.
They will face Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in the first leg of the Round of 16 on August 5 with the return leg a week later.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: With the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash with Al Sadd and the 2019-20 Qatar Stars League (QSL) season fast approaching, Al Duhail have set up base in the Portuguese city of Porto Mayo for a training camp.
Al Duhail, whose reign as QSL champions was ended by Al Sadd last season, ended the campaign brightly by winning the Amir Cup with a 4-1 triumph in the final over their domestic rivals.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-final lineup was finalised following the official draw ceremony at the AFC House on Tuesday.
Defending champions Kashima Antlers, aiming to create history by becoming the first Japanese side to win back-to-back titles, will face two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande FC from China PR.
Guangzhou, who have not gone beyond the quarter-final stage since 2015, will welcome Kashima on August 28 before travelling to Japan on September 18.