Bill relishing debutants Chiangrai United's #ACL2020 challenge

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bill relishing debutants Chiangrai United's #ACL2020 challenge

Chiang Rai: Chiangrai United striker Bill admitted he cannot wait to get started ahead of the Thai champions maiden AFC Champions League tie against Australia's Melbourne Victory on Tuesday.

It may have taken him until his 35th year, but veteran striker Bill had arguably the most successful season of his career in 2019 when he fired Chiangrai United past the usual heavyweights in Thailand to the club's first league championship.

Top scoring for the side with 14 goals, the Brazilian and his teammates edged defending champions Buriram United by virtue of a superior head-to-head record and with it earned a debut appearance in the AFC Champions League. The significance of which Bill is only too aware.

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Five new signings set to light up #ACL2020

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Five new signings set to light up #ACL2020

Kuala Lumpur: Teams across the Continent have been busy bolstering their squads with top talent, domestic and international, as they gear up for another challenge in Asia’s top club competition.

Ahead of the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage kicking-off on Monday, the-AFC.com looks at some of the biggest names signed over the past few months who could make the difference for their new clubs in the continental competition.

8 Young Stars Set To Shine at #ACL2020

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

8 Young Stars Set To Shine at #ACL2020

Kuala Lumpur: With the group stage of the 2020 AFC Champions League kicking off on Monday, the-AFC.com has selected eight young stars to look out for in the coming weeks and months.

From Continental champions to scorers of great goals and title-winning starlets – all of whom are 21 or under – there’s plenty to get excited about with the talent that will be on display during Asia’s biggest club competition.

10 Candidates for #ACL2020 Top Scorer

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

10 Candidates for #ACL2020 Top Scorer

Kuala Lumpur: As the 32 sides get set to battle it out for the title of Asia's club kings from February 10, goals will be the most valuable currency. The-AFC.com looks at 10 target men who will have eyes on becoming the 2020 AFC Champions League's most prolific.

Al Hilal's Baftembi Gomis earned himself the top scorer award in 2019 with 11 goals. But with several exciting attackers involved in this year's competition, the goals race is set to be even more heated.

Gomis returns but alongside him below are a selection of leading candidates who could take the mantle from the Frenchman in 2020.

Vote for your ACL Club of the Decade!

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vote for your ACL Club of the Decade!

Kuala Lumpur: Ahead of the kick-off of the 2020 AFC Champions League, the-AFC.com reflects on 10 years of excellence in Asia's most prestigious club competition and offers the Continent's fans the opportunity to select the team they feel has performed the best.

While the past 10 years may have seen nine different champions, a number of clubs have continually been in contention for the AFC Champions League title. We've chosen five heavyweights, now all that's left is for you to review our selection and cast your vote at the bottom of the article.

The poll ends at 16:00 (UTC +8) on Sunday.

Yamaguchi strike steers Vissel Kobe to Japan Super Cup

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Yamaguchi strike steers Vissel Kobe to Japan Super Cup

Saitama: Hotaru Yamaguchi scored the decisive penalty as Vissel Kobe claimed the Super Cup for the first time in the club’s history with a 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over J.League champions Yokohama F Marinos at Saitama Stadium in Japanese football’s season opener on Saturday.

Yamaguchi’s successful spot-kick came after the game had ended in a 3-3 draw at the conclusion of 90 minutes and a string of missed penalties from both sides took the shoot-out deep into sudden death.

Kobe, who take on Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday, never trailed throughout the course of the game and add the Super Cup to the Emperor’s Cup title they won at the end of last season.

Nabbout ecstatic to be back at 'biggest competition in Asia'

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nabbout ecstatic to be back at 'biggest competition in Asia'

Kashima: Melbourne Victory's match-winner Andrew Nabbout expressed his delight at returning to the AFC Champions League following the A-League side's 1-0 win over Kashima Antlers in the play-offs on Tuesday.

Having weathered a Kashima storm in the first half, Melbourne netted the tie's only goal on 54 minutes when Nabbout was on hand to fire home a deflected effort past Kwoun Sun-tae.

Custodian Lawrence Thomas then put on a goalkeeping clinic to deny the 2018 champions as the A-League side held out for a famous victory.