Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Al Ain made hard work of their opening FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 match, digging deep to come back from three goals down to defeat Team Wellington on penalties.
They will need to play at a higher level against Esperance in the quarter-final on Saturday if they are to continue their run.
Zoran Mamic’s side may have narrowly avoided an early exit but the match took a major physical and mental toll on the Al Ain players, who after 120 minutes of action must regroup with just three days’ rest.
Back at their Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain host the champions of Africa with a spot in the semi-final against Copa Libertadores winners River Plate awaiting the winners.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/al_ain_squad_training.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/esperance-training-fifa.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/esperance-training2-fifa.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: AFC Champions League winners Kashima Antlers kick off their FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 campaign on Saturday against CONCACAF champions Guadalajara.
Japan's Kashima were runners-up to Real Madrid in 2016 when they participated as hosts in Japan but this time are aiming to become the first AFC champions to reach the final in the competition’s history.
Standing in their way are Mexican side Guadalajara, better known as Chivas, who in April ended a 56-year wait for continental glory. There have been seven previous encounters between Asian and CONCACAF champions, with Asian sides winning three of those matches.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic praised his side’s “big character” after they battled back to avoid a FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 upset against Team Wellington on Wednesday.
The Boss found themselves 3-0 down after 44 minutes but showed great spirit to score three goals and take the match to extra-time and then penalties.
Two saves from goalkeeper Khalid Eisa saw Al Ain emerge victorious and they now play CAF Champions League winners Esperance in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Despite watching his side struggle to beat a semi-professional team, Mamic was happy with the resilience demonstrated by his players.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Al Ain survived a major scare from New Zealand side Team Wellington, fighting back from three goals down to edge Wednesday's pulsating opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 4-3 on penalties after the tie ended 3-3.
The Boss have won the UAE Pro League title in four of the past seven seasons and expectations were high that they could progress into the latter stages of the competition, where the likes of River Plate and Real Madrid await.
But the 2003 AFC Champions League winners almost succumbed to a defeat, needing a penalty shootout to advance as their defence was badly exposed by the OFC side.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Saitama: Tomoya Ugajin's 13th minute strike secured Urawa Red Diamonds a 1-0 win over Vegalta Sendai in the 2018 Japan Emperor's Cup final at the Saitama Stadium on Sunday.
Winning the Emperor's Cup for the seventh time means Urawa have sealed a place in the group stage of the 2019 AFC Champions League.
Urawa, the 2017 AFC Champions League winners, missed out on this season's campaign after failing to qualify.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Al Wahda FSCC have appointed the widely acclaimed Henk ten Cate as head coach.
The club, who announced ten Cate's appointment on social media, said the Dutchman will take charge of the UAE Pro League side this coming week.
The former Barcelona and Chelsea assistant coach replaces Romanian Laurențiu Reghecampf, who was relieved of his position in late November.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Seoul: Daegu FC defeated Ulsan Hyundai FC 2-1 in the opening leg of the 2018 Korean Football Association (FA) Cup final on Wednesday.
Daegu's Brazilian striker Edgar Bruno da Silva, known simply as Edgar, scored a late winner at the Munsu Football Stadium in Ulsan and stunned the defending FA Cup champions. With the first leg win, Daegu can lift their first FA Cup trophy with a draw or even with a 1-0 loss in the second leg.
The FA Cup employs a home-and-away format for the final match. The aggregate score will determine the FA Cup champions, with the away goals rule in effect. The returning leg will be played at Daegu Stadium in Daegu on Saturday.
The winner of this cup competition will directly reach the group stage of the AFC Champions League next year.