#ACL - Classic matches

Wed, 15 May, 2024

#ACL - Classic matches

Riyadh: The upcoming second leg of the AFC Champions League 2023-24™ final brings to conclusion a chapter of Asia’s top club competition, before it makes way to AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2.

The past two decades of the competition have brought some thrilling encounters that will live long in the memory of Asian football fans. The-AFC.com recounts some of those classic AFC Champions League clashes.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3028421.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2017_quarter-final_2nd_leg_guangzhou_5-1_shanghai_sipg.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3028453.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3028454.html

#ACLFinal 1st Leg: What They Said

Tue, 14 May, 2024

#ACLFinal 1st Leg: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Final is at the halfway stage with Yokohama F. Marinos holding a narrow advantage following a 2-1 triumph at home against Al Ain FC.

Mohammed Abbas gave the Emiratis an early lead at Yokohama International Stadium before second-half strikes from Asahi Uenaka and Kota Watanabe meant the Marinos will take what could be a priceless lead to Al Ain for the second leg on May 25.

As the two teams now look ahead to the return meeting, the-AFC.com looks back at what some of those involved had to say about the first leg.

#ACL Final: 1st Leg in Numbers

Mon, 13 May, 2024

#ACL Final: 1st Leg in Numbers

Yokohama: Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos will carry a slender advantage into the second leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final after they edged Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in the first leg at Yokohama International Stadium on Saturday. 

Mohammed Abbas gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute, but Yokohama fought back with goals from Asahi Uenaka and Kouta Watanabe in the 72nd and 84th minutes to gain an upper hand at the halfway point of the title clash. 
 
With the stage set for an exciting conclusion to another edition of the AFC Champions League in Al Ain later this month, the-AFC.com looks back at the stats and facts that caught the eye from a thrilling first leg.

Kewell proud but urges Yokohama to remain focused

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Kewell proud but urges Yokohama to remain focused

Yokohama: Harry Kewell praised his side’s resilience as Yokohama F Marinos came back from going a goal down to defeat Al Ain 2-1 in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final at Yokohama International Stadium on Saturday, the result giving the J1 League side a slender advantage ahead of the second leg.

Goals from Asahi Uenaka and Kota Watanabe in the final 18 minutes saw Yokohama turn the game on its head after Mohammed Abbas had given Al Ain a 12th minute lead and the result means the Japanese side will go into the second leg on May 25 as slight favourites to lift the trophy for the first time.

Crespo confident Al Ain will turn it around in return leg

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Crespo confident Al Ain will turn it around in return leg

Yokohama: Hernan Crespo has no doubt that Al Ain FC will get the job done in the return leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on May 25.

The United Arab Emirates side let slip a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 against Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos in a pulsating first leg on Saturday but Argentine Crespo is confident his team will have the edge in the reverse fixture at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Second half surge gives Yokohama narrow advantage over Al Ain

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Second half surge gives Yokohama narrow advantage over Al Ain

Yokohama: Kouta Watanabe struck six minutes from time as Yokohama F Marinos came back from a goal down to seal a 2-1 win over Al Ain in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on Saturday that ensures the J1 League side will take a slender lead into the second leg in the United Arab Emirates in two weeks’ time.

Watanabe pounced from close range after teammate Asahi Uenaka had earlier cancelled out Mohammed Abbas’ 12th minute opener at Yokohama International Stadium as the Japanese club chase their first-ever AFC Champions League title in their clash with the 2002-03 title winners.
 
The teams will meet again at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on May 25 with the winners taking Asia’s fourth and final berth at the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States next year.