Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manchester: Jose Luis Sierra’s Al Ittihad have begun their training camp in Manchester, England with focus on the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie against Islamic Republic of Iran’s Zobahan FC in August.
Luis Sierra, who took over from Slaven Bilic in February, steered the club out of the relegation zone to finish 10th in the domestic league but the Saudi Arabia club have performed especially well on the continental front.
The Tigers advanced into the knockout rounds of the 2019 AFC Champions League when they took second spot in Group B behind United Arab Emirates’ Al Wahda, to book a Round of 16 clash against Zobahan FC.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-final lineup was finalised following the official draw ceremony at the AFC House on Tuesday.
Defending champions Kashima Antlers, aiming to create history by becoming the first Japanese side to win back-to-back titles, will face two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande FC from China PR.
Guangzhou, who have not gone beyond the quarter-final stage since 2015, will welcome Kashima on August 28 before travelling to Japan on September 18.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Al Wahda FSCC's preparations for the 2019 AFC Champions League knockout stage and new UAE Pro League season are gathering pace with the squad based in the Netherlands since June 25.
Head coach Maurice Steijn is using the camp to familiarise himself with the squad, with the Dutchman having taking over from compatriot Hank ten Cate just two weeks ago.
Steijn has had to hit the ground running as Al Wahda, who finished third in the 2018-19 UAE Pro League, will be in 2019 AFC Champions League action in just under a month.
They will face Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr in the first leg of the Round of 16 on August 5 with the return leg a week later.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: With the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash with Al Sadd and the 2019-20 Qatar Stars League (QSL) season fast approaching, Al Duhail have set up base in the Portuguese city of Porto Mayo for a training camp.
Al Duhail, whose reign as QSL champions was ended by Al Sadd last season, ended the campaign brightly by winning the Amir Cup with a 4-1 triumph in the final over their domestic rivals.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC have announced the appointment of Romanian Razvan Lucescu as their new head coach.
The 50-year-old left Greek side PAOK Thessaloniki last month after guiding them to a historic unbeaten Greek Super League tile; their first since 1985.
Prior to his successful stint in Greece, Lucescu had managed Rapid Bucharest, Brasov and Petrolul Ploiesti in his native Romania. He also had a two-year spell in Asian football, which saw him win the Qatar Stars Cup with El Jaish in 2012-13.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Saitama: Takahiro Sekine has rejoined Urawa Red Diamonds after his stint in Europe, the club announced on Friday.
Sekina began his professional career with his boyhood club in late 2013, and scored his first J.League goal later in May against Cerezo Osaka. Since his debut 'till 2017, the 24-year-old has assisted the Saitama-based club to runners-up finishes in the J.League in 2014 and 2016.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jeddah: Former Persepolis and Islamic Republic of Iran boss Branko Ivankovic has been appointed as new Al Ahli Saudi FC head coach, the club announced on Tuesday.
Confirming the appointment of the Croatian on their official Twitter account, Al Ahli said Ivankovic has signed a two-year contract with the club.
The 65-year-old replaces local coach Yousif Anbar who had been installed as caretaker in April following the dismissal of Uruguayan manager Jorge Fossati who lasted just over two months at Al Ahli.