Stalemate leaves Nasaf, Al Ain on the edge

Thu, 15 Feb, 2024

Stalemate leaves Nasaf, Al Ain on the edge

Qarshi: FC Nasaf and Al Ain played out a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 at Markaziy Stadium on Wednesday.

Soufiane Rahimi’s free-kick which hit the woodwork late in the first half was the most notable chance in what was a hard-fought encounter, leaving the two sides to battle for a place in the quarter-finals in the second leg, with Al Ain having last reached the last-eight in 2017 and Nasaf looking to make it past the round of 16 for the first time in their history.

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Bangkok fight back to share spoils with Marinos

Thu, 15 Feb, 2024

Bangkok fight back to share spoils with Marinos

Pathum Thani: A stoppage-time header from Mahmoud Eid helped Thailand’s Bangkok United hold visitors Yokohama F. Marinos to a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 tie at Thammasat Stadium on Wednesday.

Elber and Kota Watanabe gave Yokohama a 2-0 lead in Harry Kewell’s first competitive game in charge of the J1 League club, but hosts Bangkok halved the deficit through Nitipong Selanon before substitute Eid rescued a late draw for the Thai side in the 92nd minute.

Jeonbuk surge to early advantage over Pohang

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Jeonbuk surge to early advantage over Pohang

Jeonju: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors moved closer to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Wednesday as Dan Petrescu’s side handed fellow K League 1 side Pohang Steelers a 2-0 defeat at Jeonju World Cup Stadium to take charge of their Round of 16 clash.

New signing Hernandez gave the two-time winners the lead 17 minutes into the game and Ahn Hyun-beom doubled that advantage in the 64th minute to put Jeonbuk in control of the tie ahead of the second leg at the Pohang Steel Yard next Wednesday.

Preview - R16: Sepahan FC (IRN) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Fri, 16 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16: Sepahan FC (IRN) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Isfahan: Sepahan FC will relish the chance of taking on Al Hilal SFC in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 on Thursday.

Sepahan are the only team from Islamic Republic of Iran who advanced from the group stage and will have to be at their best against an Al Hilal side determined to make up for losing in last season's final.

Preview - R16: Navbahor (UZB) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)

Thu, 15 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16: Navbahor (UZB) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)

Namangan: Navbahor will aim to continue from where they left off when they host Al Ittihad FC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 tie on Thursday.

The Uzbekistan side impressed in the group stage but will need to be at their best against an Al Ittihad side determined to end a long wait for a third continental title. 

Preview - R16: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) v Ventforet Kofu (JPN)

Thu, 15 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) v Ventforet Kofu (JPN)

Ulsan: Ulsan Hyundai will not take Ventforet Kofu lightly when the two sides face off in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 first leg tie on Thursday.

It will be a meeting between a two-time AFC Champions League winner against a side determined to create more history in their debut appearance on the continental front.

Salah: Al Kahrabaa will be better in return leg

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Salah: Al Kahrabaa will be better in return leg

Muscat: Head coach Luai Salah expects an improved performance when Al Kahrabaa host Lebanon's Al Ahed in the return leg of their AFC Cup 2023/24 West Zonal semi-final next week.

Mohamed Zaher's 20th minute strike secured Iraq's Al Kahrabaa the first leg advantage but Salah said he wasn't completely satisfied with his team's performance. 

Oniki expects Kawasaki to remain focused in rematch

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Oniki expects Kawasaki to remain focused in rematch

Jinan: Head coach Toru Oniki said his players’ fighting spirit earned Kawasaki Frontale their hard-fought 3-2 win over Shandong Taishan in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Kawasaki were 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Erison and Marcinho but Shandong fought back, with Akihiro Ienaga’s strike giving the Japanese side a narrow lead to take into next week’s  return leg.

Jackson thrilled with Mariners’ impressive bounce back

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Jackson thrilled with Mariners’ impressive bounce back

Gosford: Head coach Mark Jackson was delighted to see Central Coast Mariners continue their march in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 after a 4-0 win over Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown FC in their ASEAN Zonal semi-final on Tuesday. 

The 46-year-old was proud with how his charges overcame the challenge posed by Oleg Starynskyi’s side, who had beaten another Australian side in Macarthur FC in the group stage.

Mariners will face Macarthur - who defeated Malaysia’s Sabah FC earlier on Tuesday - in the ASEAN Zonal final on February 22.  

Sterjovski praises Macarthur’s composure in win over Sabah

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Sterjovski praises Macarthur’s composure in win over Sabah

Sydney: Head coach Mile Sterjovski credited Macarthur FC’s dominant second half display for their 3-0 win against Malaysia's Sabah FC in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 ASEAN Zonal semi-final at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

The Australian side took the lead through captain Ulises Davila in the 40th minute, with a second half brace from Jed Drew sealing progress into the ASEAN Zonal final, where they will face compatriots Central Coast Mariners on February 22.