AFC Champions League™ 2022 (EAST) – Ones To Watch

Wed, 13 Apr, 2022

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (EAST) – Ones To Watch

Kuala Lumpur: Over the years, the AFC Champions League™ has attracted some iconic names, both from across Asia and beyond, and the latest edition of the competition is no different.

With the start of the group stage action in the East drawing ever closer, the-AFC.com takes a look at some of the star players that will be on show in the hubs in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

Andres Iniesta is the headline-maker and even at 37 years old the Barcelona and Spain legend has lost none of his technical artistry and influence on the field. Elsewhere, Chanathip Songkrasin, Mathew Leckie, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Jun Amano and Dejan Damjanovic are also set to play keys roles for their respective sides.

Group by Group Preview: AFC Champions League™ 2022 (EAST)

Mon, 11 Apr, 2022

Group by Group Preview: AFC Champions League™ 2022 (EAST)

Kuala Lumpur: Following fast on the footsteps of the West Zone, the AFC Champions League™ 2022 is set to kick off on April 15, with the five groups spread across Southeast Asia and the action taking place in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

From venues to past encounters, to the players set to make an impact in 2022, the-AFC.com profiles each of the groups.

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (EAST) – The Host Cities

Tue, 12 Apr, 2022

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (EAST) – The Host Cities

Kuala Lumpur: Between April 15 and May 1, four cities across three countries in Southeast Asia will be the venues for the East Zone of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 (EAST) group stage with Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam hosting the 19 teams.

In an effort to ensure continuity of Asia’s premier club competition despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, the AFC held the 2020 edition in a centralised format in Qatar, with the cities of Doha and Al Wakrah hosting the games.

Last year, hosting rights for group stage matches were divided between Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and India for the West, while Uzbekistan and Thailand hosted games in the East. 

Ahead of kick-off of the 2022 (East) edition, the-AFC.com profiles the four host cities.

Kitchee’s record-breaker Damjanovic targeting more goals and knockout round qualification

Thu, 07 Apr, 2022

Kitchee’s record-breaker Damjanovic targeting more goals and knockout round qualification

Hong Kong: Dejan Damjanovic has set his sight on further extending his all-time AFC Champions League™ scoring record and firing Kitchee SC into the knockout rounds for the first time as the Montenegrin prepares for his ninth season in the continental competition.

Having netted for FC Seoul, Beijing FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings over the years, Damjanovic returned for the first time since 2018 last year and scored in four successive games to break Lee Dong-gook’s 37-goal haul and stand alone as the tournament’s leading marksman.

Brazilian influence pleases Olăroiu, Ergashev left disappointed

Tue, 12 Apr, 2022

Brazilian influence pleases Olăroiu, Ergashev left disappointed

Riyadh: Brazilian duo Ciao and Bernard scored a goal each to steer Sharjah to a crucial 2-1 victory over Tajikistan’s Istiklol in Group A of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 at the King Fahd International Stadium on Monday.

Manuchekhr Dzhalilov gave Istiklol the lead in the first half but Sharjah came back fighting in the second period with goals from Ciao and Bernard to power the UAE side to their first victory.

Al Faisaly's Ouzounidis remains grounded after historic result against Al Sadd

Tue, 12 Apr, 2022

Al Faisaly's Ouzounidis remains grounded after historic result against Al Sadd

Dammam: Head coach Marinos Ouzounidis insisted his Al Faisaly side’s objective in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 remains to enjoy the experience, despite a historic 2-1 win against two-time champions Al Sadd on Monday.

The Saudi side, appearing in continental competition for the first time in their history, had picked-up their first point on the opening matchday against Al Wehdat, but on Monday they went one further and defeated Qatari powerhouse Al Sadd despite falling behind within four minutes of kick-off.

Al Shabab send warning to rivals with with sizzling show against Al Jazira

Tue, 12 Apr, 2022

Al Shabab send warning to rivals with with sizzling show against Al Jazira

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Al Shabab flexed their muscles and showed their intent on Matchday Two of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 to register a comfortable 3-0 win over Al Jazira FSC of the UAE in Group B at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium on Monday.

Al Shabab were on the front foot from the start with Carlos netting the opener before Turki Al Ammar doubled their lead heading into half-time, with the Brazilian scoring his second late in the game.

'It was a game of two halves', says Nasaf's Berdiev after late triumph over Al Wehdat

Tue, 12 Apr, 2022

'It was a game of two halves', says Nasaf's Berdiev after late triumph over Al Wehdat

Dammam: FC Nasaf head coach Ruzikul Berdiev believes his side showed two different faces during their 2-0 win against Jordan’s Al Wehdat in Group E of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday.

In what was the third match between the two sides, who had faced-off in the 2011 AFC Cup semi-finals, Al Wehdat were the better team in the opening period, dominating possession and coming closer to opening the scoring on multiple occasions.

Berdiev’s men, however, produced a stellar second-half display that culminated in two late goals from Serbian playmaker Marko Stanojevic who placed the opener from the edge of the area in the 71st minute then adding his second from the spot with a ‘Panenka’ five minutes from time.

Al Hilal’s best is yet to come, warns Michael

Tue, 12 Apr, 2022

Al Hilal’s best is yet to come, warns Michael

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC’s Michael claims the defending champions are only just warming up following their 3-0 win over Qatar’s Al Rayyan in Group A of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday.

Al Hilal took a first half lead through Abdullah Al Hamdan before goals from Mohammed Kanno and Nasser Aldawsari completed the comfortable win at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.

Buckingham revels in milestone win for Mumbai City

Tue, 12 Apr, 2022

Buckingham revels in milestone win for Mumbai City

Riyadh: Des Buckingham took pride in Mumbai City’s historical victory at the King Fahd International Stadium after edging Iraq’s Air Force Club 2-1 in Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday.

Air Force Club took the lead in the second half through substitute Hammadi Ahmad before Mumbai City came back fighting with Diego Maurício slotting home from the penalty spot and Rahul Bheke scoring the winning header 15 minutes from the end.