Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: Ahead of West Asia's 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16, the-AFC.com takes a look at the head coaches of the eight sides in contention.
Youth is the name of the game in West Asia this year as six of the eight AFC Champions League Round of 16 sides are led by head coaches younger than 50. With four new appointments and four continuing from the group stage, we are set to see some mouthwatering tactical battles over the next two weeks.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jeddah: Al Ittihad striker Romarinho has declared that he is looking to continue the fine form he displayed at the end of last season when the Saudi Arabian giants face Zobahan FC in the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16.
The livewire Brazilian joined Al Ittihad from Emirati outfit Al Jazira in 2018, having scored six times in that year’s edition of the AFC Champions League.
After initially struggling to find his feet with his new employers, Romarinho was soon grabbing headlines galore thanks to the seven goals he went on to bag in the Saudi Pro League and when he scored in each of Al Ittihad’s last three group stage games in the AFC Champions League.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Amman: Ahead of the 2019 AFC Champions League knockout stage, clubs across the Continent have been busy strengthening their squads and making managerial appointments.
As a hot summer across West Asia comes to an end, it has also been a heated season in the transfer market. The eight teams from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Islamic Republic of Iran and Qatar bolstered their ranks with exciting signings who hope to start with a bang as teams kick-off their season with the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 matches in August.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Barcelona: Qatar international and AFC Asian Cup 2019 winner Boualem Khoukhi has set his sights on claiming this season’s AFC Champions League title after joining his Al Sadd SC teammates for pre-season training in Spain.
The recent subject of an on-off transfer to domestic rivals Al Gharafa, Khoukhi arrived in Europe at the weekend determined to focus on his side’s upcoming AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie against Al Duhail SC.
With the two-legged Continental showdown set to start next week, Khoukhi has been quick to outline his targets for the competition and the positive impact he believes new head coach Xavi will have on his charges.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: With a new season in Qatar looming large, and knockout stage action in the AFC Champions League set to resume next week, Al Duhail SC star and AFC Asian Cup 2019 winner Almoez Ali has declared that both he and his teammates are fully focused on winning as much silverware as possible in the weeks and months to come.
Al Duhail are scheduled to meet rivals Al Sadd SC over two legs in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 on August 6 and 13, before facing the same opponents when their latest domestic campaign gets underway with the Qatari Super Cup on August 17.
Despite the hectic nature of football’s modern-day calendar, Ali has targetted nothing but success for the side which finished as runners-up to Al Sadd in last season’s Qatar Stars League standings, but exacted a degree of revenge by comprehensively claiming the Amir of Qatar Cup title.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Villach: Al Hilal SFC’s pre-season tour of Europe ended in fine fashion on Wednesday as two separate sides representing the Saudi giants secured impressive victories.
In the day’s earlier game, Jonathan Soriano’s brace along with goals from Mohammed Al Shalhoub, Nasser Al Dawsari, Omar Khrbin, Hatan Bahbri and Ahmad Sharaf saw a largely second-string Al Hilal side run out 7-1 winners against NK Brine Grosuplje who play in Slovenia’s third tier.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Spain and Barcelona great Xavi has declared that he is looking to repeat the incredible success he enjoyed as a player in his new role as head coach of Qatar giants Al Sadd SC.
The two-time FIFA World Cup winner retired from competitive football in May following a stellar career which also saw him claim a plethora of Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League crowns.
Having bowed out on a high thanks to 2018-19 Qatar Stars League title success as a player with Al Sadd, the 39-year-old is adamant that his thirst for silverware remains the same as his charges prepare for a new domestic campaign and knockout stage action in the 2019 AFC Champions League.