Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Buriram: Buriram United’s rise to become the dominant force in Thai football and regulars in the AFC Champions League owes much to the midfield duo of Suchao Nuchnum and Jakkaphan Kaewprom.
The dynamic drive of Suchao and the creative skills of Jakkaphan have been complementing each other since 2011, during which time they have seen five continental campaigns including a run to the 2013 quarter-finals.
This year, the Buriram legends kick off their Group G campaign at China’s Guangzhou Evergrande on February 14, while Japan’s Cerezo Osaka and Korea Republic’s Jeju United complete the four-team group.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Osaka: Kenyu Sugimoto believes Cerezo Osaka can gain inspiration from Urawa Red Diamonds’ AFC Champions League victory last year as the side from Japan’s second city return to continental action for the first time since 2014.
After a third-place finish in the 2017 J.League, Cerezo secured their third appearance at the competition, where they reached the quarter-finals in 2011 and the Round of 16 three years later.
In 2017, domestic rivals Urawa became the first side from Japan to win the AFC Champions League since Cerezo’s neighbours Gamba Osaka claimed the title in 2008 and the forward feels his side can build on that success.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kashiwa: A brace from Cristiano helped Kashiwa Reysol of Japan book their place in the 2018 AFC Champions League on Tuesday after defeating Thailand’s Muangthong United 3-0 in their play-off stage clash at Kashiwa Soccer Stadium.
The Brazilian got the ball rolling for the home side, converting from close range after a Junya Ito cut-back in the 51st minute, before making it 2-0 with his second after a wonderful run 11 minutes later.
Ito then made sure of Kashiwa’s fourth AFC Champions League appearance with a cool finish from inside the area in the 89th minute.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Shanghai: Yu Hai scored the only goal of the game as Shanghai SIPG secured their third successive appearance in the AFC Champions League following a 1-0 victory over Thailand’s Chiangrai United in Tuesday’s play-off round.
The visitors could have gone ahead as early as the 11th minute at Shanghai Stadium when Piyaphon Phanichakul cut the ball back for captain Gilberto Macena, but the Brazilian skewed wide from 12 yards when he should have done better.
Shanghai were dominating possession and started to ask questions as half-time neared, with Oscar’s dinked cross headed wide by Lu Wenjun and Odil Ahmedov’s volley from distance gathered by goalkeeper Chatchai Budprom as the sides went in goalless.
But the hosts then went in front three minutes after the restart, despite the best efforts of Chatchai, who saved Yu’s initial attempt from Hulk’s corner and Shi Ke’s follow-up effort, only for defender Yu to be on hand to head home from close range.