Young Zobahan will be ready for Al Ittihad, says Mansourian

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Young Zobahan will be ready for Al Ittihad, says Mansourian

Isfahan: Zobahan FC head coach Alireza Mansourian expects a tough challenge but is confident the Islamic Republic of Iran side will overcome Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad in the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16.

Zobahan, who are in pre-season training, will face Al Ittihad on August 5 and 13 and Mansourian said his players are working hard to ensure they will be ready.

It will be a changed Zobahan side from the one that played in the 2018 AFC Champions League with several players having departed and new faces brought in.

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Al Sadd, Al Duhail shift gears as showdown nears

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Sadd, Al Duhail shift gears as showdown nears

Kuala Lumpur: Qatar clubs Al Sadd and Al Duhail are picking up the pace ahead of their 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie in August.

While Al Duhail have been based in the Portuguese city of Portimao since July 1, Al Sadd reported for training in Doha on July 7.

Qatari champions Al Sadd will have a new head coach in the dugout with Spain and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez having been announced as the man in charge at the end of the 2018-19 season.

5 ACL-winning summer signings 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

5 ACL-winning summer signings 

Kuala Lumpur: With Marko Arnautovic the latest big name to join the AFC Champions League after Monday's signing with quarter-finalists Shanghai SIPG, we take a look at five other big summer acquisitions who led their team to Continental glory.

The Austrian forward will be tasked helping fire the Chinese Super League side to their first AFC Champions League title and, if he can do so, he would join a list of players who have gone on to lift the coveted trophy.

Kashima's Oiwa fully focused on making history

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kashima's Oiwa fully focused on making history

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.”

Al Nassr gear up for Al Wahda tie

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Nassr gear up for Al Wahda tie

Riyadh: After an impressive performance domestically and on the Continental stage, Al Nassr have begun preparations for the 2019-20 season.

Al Nassr clinched an eighth Saudi Pro League title after an exciting race with Al Hilal Saudi FC, who had looked to be racing away mid season, but Al Nassr switched gears in the final six matches to overcome their Riyadh rivals to emerge champions.

Al Hilal build up for Al Ahli tie

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Hilal build up for Al Ahli tie

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.

Al Ittihad in Manchester for tune-up

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Ittihad in Manchester for tune-up

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.