Central Asian Domestic Wrap: Advantage Lokomotiv, Dordoi stay on track

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Central Asian Domestic Wrap: Advantage Lokomotiv, Dordoi stay on track

Bishkek: Uzbekistan’s PFC Lokomotiv took a significant step towards a return to AFC Champions League football, while FC Dordoi’s bid for a second successive Kyrgyz Premier League title gathered steam thanks to two international stars.

Also this week, the return of league action in Tajikistan, Islamic Republic and Turkmenistan saw heavyweight clubs in all three countries produce important wins.

Join the-AFC.com as we cover all the key results from Andijan to Ashgabat and beyond.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/altyn_asyr_-_yokary_liga.html

East Asia Domestic Wrap: SIPG top Beijing FC; J.League title race heats up

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

East Asia Domestic Wrap: SIPG top Beijing FC; J.League title race heats up

Kuala Lumpur: Shanghai SIPG secured a big win away at their Chinese Super League title rivals, while Yokohama F. Marinos made up ground on the top two as the hunt for the Japanese championship became a three-way race.

Following the international break, the domestic action in East Asia returned with a bang as the leagues in Japan, Korea Republic and China PR enter the business end of season, while the Hong Kong and Mongolia Premier Leagues also saw some intriguing ties.

Makino: We aim to reach the pinnacle of Asia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Makino: We aim to reach the pinnacle of Asia

Guangzhou: Urawa Red Diamonds defender Tomoaki Makino admitted the pressure is on the Saitama side to see out Wednesday's semi-final second leg against Guangzhou Evergrande and ensure a third consecutive Japanese team reaches the AFC Champions League final.

In 2007, Urawa made history as the first J.League club to be crowned Continental kings since Asia's premier club tournament underwent a revamp in 2002-03 to become the AFC Champions League.

A decade later, Urawa repeated their efforts to join Wednesday's opponents Guangzhou, Korea Republic's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia as the only two-time winners of the AFC Champions League.

We have no other option but to attack, says Huang Bowen

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

We have no other option but to attack, says Huang Bowen

Guangzhou: Midfielder Huang Bowen has insisted that Guangzhou Evergrande will throw caution to the wind on Wednesday in their bid to overturn the 2-0 deficit they face in the semi-final second leg against Urawa Red Diamonds.

Seven times Guangzhou have faced J.League opponents in the AFC Champions League knockout stage, and seven times it has been the southern Chinese side that has emerged victorious.

But at Tianhe Stadium on Wednesday, they face arguably their biggest test yet as they are up against an Urawa side that bring with them a 2-0 lead from the first leg.

A veteran of 12 AFC Champions League tournaments so far, and a winner in 2013 and 2015, Huang Bowen knows full well the challenge his side face.

The AFC Cup Final: 2010-2012

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The AFC Cup Final: 2010-2012

Kuala Lumpur: As the clock ticks down towards the 2019 AFC Cup Final between DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC and Al Ahed of Lebanon on November 2, the-AFC.com continues its look back at finals gone by. 

In the latest edition, we turn our attention to the years from 2010 to 2012 when some of the most notable moments in the tournament’s history took place.

The AFC Cup Final: 2007-2009

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The AFC Cup Final: 2007-2009

Kuala Lumpur: With two-and-a-half weeks remaining until the 2019 AFC Cup Final kicks off between Lebanese side Al Ahed and 4.25 SC of DPR Korea, we recall when sides from Jordan, Bahrain and Kuwait had their moment in the sun.

Having begun our five-part series last week, The-AFC.com now presents the second entry on the history of the AFC Cup Finals and remembers the 2007, 2008 and 2009 editions of the Continental tournament.

The AFC Cup Final: 2004-2006

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The AFC Cup Final: 2004-2006

Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Cup final sees Lebanon’s Al Ahed travel to Pyongyang to face DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC in three weeks’ time with a new name and country guaranteed to be etched on to the trophy.

The finale will bring a close to the 16th edition of a competition that in recent times has been dominated by three-time champions Air Force Club of Iraq.

As part of the-AFC.com’s build-up to the showpiece event, we begin our five-part series looking back at the tournament final's history, starting with its inaugural year in 2004.