#ACL2022 (East): Knockout Stage in Numbers

Sat, 27 Aug, 2022

#ACL2022 (East): Knockout Stage in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The 2022 AFC Champions League (EAST) knockout stage was held over the past two weeks in Saitama as a whirlwind few days of action ended in Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds booking their place in next February’s grand finale.

From the 19 teams that took part in the group stage (EAST) when it kicked off back in April just one remains as the representative to face the best of the west and be crowned kings of Asia. 

With the competition now taking a break until the action returns with the knockout stages in the West next year, the-AFC.com looks back at the numbers that stood out after the recent set of games.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/urawa_red_diamonds_vs_al_hilal.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2919858.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2919971.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/2919875.html

I knew we would win, says Urawa's Rodriguez

Fri, 26 Aug, 2022

I knew we would win, says Urawa's Rodriguez

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds head coach Ricardo Rodriguez was confident his side would prevail in their penalty shootout against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as the Japanese outfit secured their spot in February’s AFC Champions League™ 2022 final at the end of a dramatic semi-final at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Thursday.

Goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa saved penalties from Kim Bo-kyung and Lee Seung-gi to set up a 3-1 shoot-out win for the two-time winners after a breathless conclusion to extra-time saw the game end in a 2-2 draw.
 
Yusuke Matsuo put Urawa in front before Paik Seung-ho’s penalty levelled the scores while Kasper Junker hit the post in the dying moments of regulation time. Han Kyo-won then thought he had won the tie for Jeonbuk before Junker’s last-gasp equaliser took the game to penalties.

Kim: Fatigue, jitters caused Jeonbuk's defeat

Fri, 26 Aug, 2022

Kim: Fatigue, jitters caused Jeonbuk's defeat

Saitama: Fatigue especially, and jitters were the reasons Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' AFC Champions League™ 2022 dream ended on Thursday.

Kim Sang-sik's side gave the semi-final tie against Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds their all but a third consecutive match that went to extra-time took its toll on the Korea Republic champions, with their head coach admitting that fatigue and nervousness led to them crashing out. 

Urawa defeat Jeonbuk on penalties to book final berth

Fri, 26 Aug, 2022

Urawa defeat Jeonbuk on penalties to book final berth

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds will play in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final after goalkeeper Shusaku Nishikawa made a pair of penalty saves to ensure the J1 League side handed Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC a 3-1 shootout defeat at Saitama Stadium 2002 on Thursday following a 2-2 draw in 120 minutes.

Nishikawa’s heroics mean the J.League side will face the top club from West Asia in the continental showpiece over two legs on February 19 and 26.
 
Yusuke Matsuo had given Urawa an 11th minute lead before Paik Seung-ho struck from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half to take the game into extra-time, where late drama ensued before Urawa won the shoot-out. Han Kyo-won thought he had won the game for Jeonbuk with only four minutes remaining as he slid in to steer home Lee Seung-gi’s cross only for Kasper Junker to net the equaliser.
 
Nishikawa then denied Kim Bo-kyung and Lee Seung-gi in the first two rounds of spot-kicks and Ataru Esaka hit the winning penalty with one round remaining to take Urawa into the final for the fourth time in their history and the third time in six years.

Preview: Japan targeting history with second title

Sat, 27 Aug, 2022

Preview: Japan targeting history with second title

San Jose: Japan will be chasing a record-breaking second consecutive FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup title when they face Spain in the 2022 final at the National Stadium of Costa Rica on Sunday.

The defending champions are unbeaten in a campaign which saw them score 11 goals en route to reaching the final, while Spain also boast a similar record and will meet Japan in what will be a repeat of the last FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup decider.