Preview MD1 – Group G: Vissel Kobe (JPN) vs Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD1 – Group G: Vissel Kobe (JPN) vs Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)

Kobe: Vissel Kobe will make their AFC Champions League debut when the Japanese side host Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim in Group G at Misaki Park Stadium on Wednesday.

The J.League team secured their place in the Continental competition after defeating Kashima Antlers in the Emperor’s Cup final on January 1 to claim one of Japan’s two automatic qualifying spots.

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

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

8 Young Stars Set To Shine at #ACL2020

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

8 Young Stars Set To Shine at #ACL2020

Kuala Lumpur: With the group stage of the 2020 AFC Champions League kicking off on Monday, the-AFC.com has selected eight young stars to look out for in the coming weeks and months.

From Continental champions to scorers of great goals and title-winning starlets – all of whom are 21 or under – there’s plenty to get excited about with the talent that will be on display during Asia’s biggest club competition.

10 Candidates for #ACL2020 Top Scorer

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

10 Candidates for #ACL2020 Top Scorer

Kuala Lumpur: As the 32 sides get set to battle it out for the title of Asia's club kings from February 10, goals will be the most valuable currency. The-AFC.com looks at 10 target men who will have eyes on becoming the 2020 AFC Champions League's most prolific.

Al Hilal's Baftembi Gomis earned himself the top scorer award in 2019 with 11 goals. But with several exciting attackers involved in this year's competition, the goals race is set to be even more heated.

Gomis returns but alongside him below are a selection of leading candidates who could take the mantle from the Frenchman in 2020.

FC Seoul are back where we belong, says Osmar

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

FC Seoul are back where we belong, says Osmar

Seoul: Spaniard Osmar Barba went from zero to hero on Tuesday for FC Seoul, scoring an own goal before firing home a free-kick to restore the club's two-goal cushion on the way to a 4-1 victory over Malaysia's Kedah FA and a place in the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage.

The 31-year-old spoke exclusively to the-AFC.com following the play-off tie at Seoul World Cup Stadium and he reflected on the match, the importance of playing in the AFC Champions League, his favourite memories from the competition so far, and his hopes for 2020.

Bill relishing debutants Chiangrai United's #ACL2020 challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bill relishing debutants Chiangrai United's #ACL2020 challenge

Chiang Rai: Chiangrai United striker Bill admitted he cannot wait to get started ahead of the Thai champions maiden AFC Champions League tie against Australia's Melbourne Victory on Tuesday.

It may have taken him until his 35th year, but veteran striker Bill had arguably the most successful season of his career in 2019 when he fired Chiangrai United past the usual heavyweights in Thailand to the club's first league championship.

Top scoring for the side with 14 goals, the Brazilian and his teammates edged defending champions Buriram United by virtue of a superior head-to-head record and with it earned a debut appearance in the AFC Champions League. The significance of which Bill is only too aware.

Nabbout ecstatic to be back at 'biggest competition in Asia'

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nabbout ecstatic to be back at 'biggest competition in Asia'

Kashima: Melbourne Victory's match-winner Andrew Nabbout expressed his delight at returning to the AFC Champions League following the A-League side's 1-0 win over Kashima Antlers in the play-offs on Tuesday.

Having weathered a Kashima storm in the first half, Melbourne netted the tie's only goal on 54 minutes when Nabbout was on hand to fire home a deflected effort past Kwoun Sun-tae.

Custodian Lawrence Thomas then put on a goalkeeping clinic to deny the 2018 champions as the A-League side held out for a famous victory.

Johor Darul Ta'zim voted AFC Cup Club of the Decade!

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Johor Darul Ta'zim voted AFC Cup Club of the Decade!

Kuala Lumpur: Fans have picked Johor Darul Ta'zim as the AFC Cup Club of the Decade in a poll conducted by the-AFC.com.

The Malaysian side, champions in 2015, saw off several big challengers to emerge as the AFC Cup Club of the Decade in Asia's most diverse club competition.

The poll results can be viewed HERE but let's take a look again at the clubs that were nominated as the AFC Cup gets set for another decade of excellence.