Al Faisaly's Boyle relishing a historic AFC Champions League™ campaign

Wed, 06 Apr, 2022

Al Faisaly's Boyle relishing a historic AFC Champions League™ campaign

Dubai: Three months after his arrival to Saudi Arabia’s Al Faisaly, Australian forward Martin Boyle is preparing to make history as he and the club make their debuts in the AFC Champions League™.

Ahead of the start of the 2022 edition, the-AFC.com talked to the Socceroos forward who had spent his entire footballing career in Scotland prior to making the move to Saudi Arabia in late January.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2022_preview__west.html

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST) - The Asian Stars

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST) - The Asian Stars

Dubai: Since the introduction of the AFC player spot in AFC Champions League squads, clubs across the continent have looked to invest in recruiting the best Asian talent, paving the way for an era of inter-Asian transfers.

With the West matches in AFC Champions League 2022 kicking-off on Thursday, the-AFC.com looks at six key players who could make the difference for their teams in that AFC player spot.

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST) - Star Names

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST) - Star Names

Riyadh: 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 brings together an unprecedented number of star players.

With the start of the group stage action in the West drawing ever closer, the-AFC.com takes a look at some of the star names that will be on show in Saudi Arabia. 

Santi Cazorla of Al Sadd and Bernard of Sharjah look to make an impact on their second appearance, but each of James Rodriguez, Odion Ighalo, Ever Banega and Toby Alderweireld will be making their debuts for Al Rayyan, Al Hilal, Al Shabab and Al Duhail respectively.

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

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

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

Riyadh: As we enter the month of April, the AFC Champions League™ 2022 is set to kick-off in a few days’ time starting with matches in the West, with the five groups taking place in Saudi Arabia.

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

Al Shabab's Banega relishing the challenge of facing big AFC Champions League clubs

Tue, 29 Mar, 2022

Al Shabab's Banega relishing the challenge of facing big AFC Champions League clubs

Riyadh: One of the biggest names gearing up for the AFC Champions League™ 2022, Al Shabab FC midfielder Ever Banega has already stamped his mark on the Saudi Pro League and is now looking to take his influence to the continental stage.

Ahead of Al Shabab’s return to Asian football after seven years of absence, the-afc.comsat with the former Argentine international to discuss his past, future, and everything in between.

Preliminary Stage: Valencia (MDV) 2-1 Paro FC (BHU)

Wed, 06 Apr, 2022

Preliminary Stage: Valencia (MDV) 2-1 Paro FC (BHU)

Male: A Borjas Martin Gonzalez goal 11 minutes into extra-time kept Valencia’s AFC Cup™ 2022 group stage afloat, as the Maldivian side secured a 2-1 Preliminary Round over Bhutan’s Paro FC at National Stadium on Tuesday.

Valencia’s extra-time success means Ahmed Mujutaba’s side advances to a clash with Bangladesh Premier League outfit Abahani Limited Dhaka next week, with a win in that fixture to put them one win away from the tournament proper.

Abdulla Yaameen gave the hosts the lead in the 18th minute, but Paro hit back through Maxwell Ellon nine minutes later in a match that went all the way to the wire.

Preliminary Stage: Machhindra FC (NEP) 1-2 Blue Star SC (SRI)

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

Preliminary Stage: Machhindra FC (NEP) 1-2 Blue Star SC (SRI)

Kathmandu: Sri Lanka’s Blue Star SC moved a step closer to the AFC Cup™ 2022 group stage, earning an impressive 2-1 win against Nepalese champions Machhindra FC in their Preliminary Round clash at Dashrath Stadium on Tuesday.

First half goals from Mohamed Ishan and Shenal Sandesh proved decisive for the visitors, who are now potentially 180 minutes away from becoming the first Sri Lankan club to secure group stage football in the competition.

Sujal Shreshtha pulled back a goal for Machhindra with virtually the final action of the match, but it couldn't prevent a defeat which ended the hosts' Asian odyssey ended at the first hurdle.

Vietnam, Malaysia back on track, Thailand held

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

Vietnam, Malaysia back on track, Thailand held

Bangkok: Malaysia got back to winning ways after beating Brunei Darussalam, while Indonesia and Thailand played out to a draw, leaving all still left to play for in Group A of the 2022 AFF Futsal Championship on Tuesday. 

Thailand maintained the lead in the standings on goal difference with seven points, with Indonesia sitting on second, followed closely by Malaysia who sit third on six points. It will be a winner take all in their final group stage matches on Wednesday.  

Meanwhile in Group B, Vietnam and Myanmar secured their first wins of their campaigns after cruising past Timor-Leste and Australia respectively.

Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Iraq secure opening day wins

Wed, 06 Apr, 2022

Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Iraq secure opening day wins

Fujairah: Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Iraq opened their AFF Futsal Asian Cup Kuwait 2022™ Qualifiers with wins in their respective groups on Tuesday. 

Lebanon and Saudi Arabia secured narrow victories over Oman and Palestine respectively to take the lead in Group A, while Iraq scored a goal in each half to beat United Arab Emirates in the three-team Group B. 

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST) - The Host Cities

Tue, 05 Apr, 2022

AFC Champions League™ 2022 (WEST) - The Host Cities

Riyadh: For the first time in the AFC Champions League™ history, the centralised group stage will take place across four cities in one country, with Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Buraidah hosting west games between 7th and 27th of April.

Over the past three years, and 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 edition, the-AFC.com profiles the four host cities of West groups.