Khujand make history, Dordoi look to the future

Fri, 01 Jul, 2022

Khujand make history, Dordoi look to the future

Bishkek: FC Khujand head coach Rustam Khodzhaev heaped praise on his players for making history after qualifying to the AFC Cup 2022™ Central Zonal Final for the first time following their 0-0 draw with FC Dordoi on Thursday.

Khodzhaev’s team only needed a draw to advance and they executed the game plan to near perfection as they defended as a unit and threatened on the counter-attacks against a desperate Dordoi, who needed to win by two goals to qualify.

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PFC Sogdiana will be ready for Central Zonal final, says Bakaev

Fri, 01 Jul, 2022

PFC Sogdiana will be ready for Central Zonal final, says Bakaev

Dushanbe: Head coach Ulugbek Bakaev was grinning from ear to ear after his PFC Sogdiana beat Altyn Asyr FC 3-1 to extend their AFC Cup™ debut campaign into the knockout stage on Thursday. 

Sogdiana were at their best with captain Jasur Khasanov scoring a goal in each half, with Javokhir Kakhramonov opening his tournament account with a second half effort, with Nurmyrat Rozyyev scoring a consolation for Altyn Asyr at the Republican Central Stadium. 

Bakaev was full of praise for his players’ improved performance and adaptability from match to match as they powered to a perfect three wins in topping Group E.

PFC Neftchi, FC CSKA confident of progress after AFC Cup adventure

Fri, 01 Jul, 2022

PFC Neftchi, FC CSKA confident of progress after AFC Cup adventure

Dushanbe: Head coach Nurbek Zholdoshov believes his PFC Neftchi side have garnered valuable experience after their first-ever AFC Cup™ campaign. 

After two defeats in Group E, Nefchi were hoping to close out their debut with a win against FC CSKA, but despite dominating possession and recording 11 shots in total, a goal eluded them as they settled for a 0-0 draw at the Republican Central Stadium on Thursday.

Josue challenges KL City to improve after historic qualification

Fri, 01 Jul, 2022

Josue challenges KL City to improve after historic qualification

Kuala Lumpur: Captain Paulo Josue said there is still room for improvement for Kuala Lumpur City following their 2-1 victory over Tampines Rovers of Singapore in their AFC Cup™ 2022 Group H tie at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium on Thursday.

Josue starred with a brace before Tampines’ Boris Kopitovic reduced the deficit as Kuala Lumpur City (KL City) secured a place in the ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals as the runners-up, with Indonesia’s PSM Makassar topping the group. 

Cugurra and Yoshide look to the future after Bali and Kaya exit

Fri, 01 Jul, 2022

Cugurra and Yoshide look to the future after Bali and Kaya exit

Denpasar: Bali United FC head coach Stefano Cugurra believes lessons can be learned from their AFC Cup™ 2022 campaign after the Indonesian champions were eliminated at the group stage despite a 1-0 victory over Kaya FC-Iloilo on Thursday.

Having won one and lost one of their opening two games, Bali went into their final Group G fixture at Stadion Kapten I Wayan Dipta needing a win and for results elsewhere to go their way if they were to have any chance of reaching the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals for the first time.

Cugurra’s side fulfilled their part of the obligation, with Jajang Mulyana’s first-half header securing a hard-fought victory, but ultimately it was defeat against Cambodia’s Visakha on Monday that cost them dearly as, despite winning two of their three games, Bali finished third in the standings.

Losada applauds Eastern Long Lions' resilience

Fri, 01 Jul, 2022

Losada applauds Eastern Long Lions' resilience

Buriram: Eastern Long Lions head coach Roberto Losada praised his players for overcoming a challenging build-up to the group phase of the AFC Cup™ 2022 to advance to the next phase of the competition on Thursday.

Losada’s side handed Tainan City a 3-1 defeat at Buriram Stadium to secure top spot in Group J and progress to the Inter-Zone Semi-finals ahead of fellow Hong Kong Premier League side Lee Man.
 
Goals from Mikael, Sun Him-ming and Victor Bertomeu earned Eastern their second consecutive win in the competition to cap an impressive performance after a season that has been heavily disrupted by a severe COVID-19 outbreak in Hong Kong earlier this year.

#AFCCup2022 Knockout Stage set to be thrilling affair

Fri, 01 Jul, 2022

#AFCCup2022 Knockout Stage set to be thrilling affair

Kuala Lumpur: The knockout stage of the AFC Cup™ 2022 is set to be an exciting affair following the conclusion of the ASEAN, Central and East group stage on Thursday.

Excitement was the order of the day as dreams were both realised and dashed as four teams from ASEAN, two from Central and one from the East Zone joined the five sides who had already booked their knockout stage spots from the South and West Zones in May.