ACL2020 Matchday One: West Asia Preview

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ACL2020 Matchday One: West Asia Preview

Kuala Lumpur: Seventy-eight days after Al Hilal SFC defeated Urawa Red Diamonds in Saitama to lift the 2019 AFC Champions League trophy, the latest edition of the competition gets underway with four clashes across Groups A and B on Monday.

The reigning champions are in action in Dubai, while one debutant will make their AFC Champions League group stage bow on the same day as things kick-off in full speed in the West Zone.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/al_hilal_2019_acl_champions.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/al_duhail_sc_1-0_persepolis_fc_afc_champions_league_2018_quarter-final_–_first_leg.html

Preview MD1 - Group A: Al Wahda FSCC (UAE) vs Al Ahli Saudi SC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD1 - Group A: Al Wahda FSCC (UAE) vs Al Ahli Saudi SC

Abu Dhabi: United Arab Emirates’ Al Wahda and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli aim to improve on their 2019 AFC Champions League results as they lock horns at the start of their respective 2020 campaigns at Al Nahyan Stadium on Monday.

Both sides saw their progress cut at the Round of 16 last year; Al Wahda were beaten by Al Nassr 4-3 on aggregate, while Al Ahli succumbed to rivals Al Hilal with the same result.

Preview MD1 - Group A: Al Shorta (IRQ) vs Esteghlal FC (IRN)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD1 - Group A: Al Shorta (IRQ) vs Esteghlal FC (IRN)

Erbil: Al Shorta SC of Iraq will kick off their 2020 AFC Champions League campaign on Monday when they host Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal at Franso Hariri Stadium in Group A.

Safety reasons mean the Baghdad-based side have to play their home matches 220 miles north in Erbil, with the first challenge of the campaign pitting them against Tehran giants Esteghlal.

Preview MD1 - Group B: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) vs Shahr Khodro FC (IRN)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD1 - Group B: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) vs Shahr Khodro FC (IRN)

Dubai: Al Hilal SFC kick-off their AFC Champions League title defence at Al Wasl Stadium against Islamic Republic of Iran debutants Shahr Khodro FC on Monday.

The Saudis lifted the coveted trophy in Saitama back in November, becoming the first West Asian side to be crowned champions since Al Sadd in 2011.

Preview MD1 - Group B: Pakhtakor (UZB) vs Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview MD1 - Group B: Pakhtakor (UZB) vs Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE)

Tashkent:  Shabab Al Ahli Dubai return to the AFC Champions League for the first time since 2017 with a trip to Tashkent to face FC Pakhtakor in Group B on Monday.

AFC Champions League finalists in 2015 as Al Ahli FC, the Emirati side were merged with fellow Dubai-based clubs Al Shabab and Dubai SC to form Shabab Al Ahli Dubai, and as a result were ineligible to play in the competition for two years.

Al Hilal picked as ACL Club of the Decade!

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Hilal picked as ACL Club of the Decade!

Kuala Lumpur: Al Hilal SFC's excellence in the AFC Champions League has seen them voted as the ACL Club of the Decade by fans. 

Al Hilal lifted the trophy in 2019 after twice having to settle for runners-up finishes as they saw off some tough challengers from a decade that had seen nine different AFC Champions League winners.

The results can be viewed HERE but let's take a look at the nominees once again ahead of a new decade of the AFC Champions League kicking off on Monday.

10 Candidates for #ACL2020 Top Scorer

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

10 Candidates for #ACL2020 Top Scorer

Kuala Lumpur: As the 32 sides get set to battle it out for the title of Asia's club kings from February 10, goals will be the most valuable currency. The-AFC.com looks at 10 target men who will have eyes on becoming the 2020 AFC Champions League's most prolific.

Al Hilal's Baftembi Gomis earned himself the top scorer award in 2019 with 11 goals. But with several exciting attackers involved in this year's competition, the goals race is set to be even more heated.

Gomis returns but alongside him below are a selection of leading candidates who could take the mantle from the Frenchman in 2020.