Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Melbourne: Despite coming off the bench to play in his maiden AFC Champions League match, Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Yan Dinghao had a bittersweet introduction to the Continental competition after a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory on Wednesday.
Travelling more than 7,500 kilometres to make your tournament debut is a clear illustration of the sheer scope and scale of Asian football's most prestigious club competition.
But it was a journey that 21-year-old Yan Dinghao was happy to embark upon, even if the south China side was not able to secure all three points in Australia.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Melbourne: Australia's Melbourne Victory picked up their first point in their 2019 AFC Champions League Group F campaign after coming back from a goal down to salvage a 1-1 draw with Guangzhou Evergrande of China PR on Tuesday.
With their hopes of progressing from Group F all but extinguished after their 4-0 loss to Guangzhou on Matchday Three, Kevin Muscat made eight changes to his starting 11 from their A-League game last Friday.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Daegu: Hayato Araki was the hero of the night as his first half effort sent Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima to the top of Group F of the 2019 AFC Champions League after beating Daegu FC of Korea Republic 1-0 on Tuesday.
After losing their opening match of the campaign to Guangzhou Evergrande, the Japanese side responded well with back-to-back wins, including a 2-0 win over Daegu on Matchday Three.
Hiroshi Jofuku’s side rode their luck early, however, as the home side had the better of the early chances as Cesinha and then Edgar spurned good chances to open the lead for the Korea Republic side.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Shanghai: Sydney FC striker Adam Le Fondre insisted his overriding emotion was one of disappointment despite picking up what could be a valuable point in a 2-2 draw at Shanghai SIPG on Matchday Four of the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
The Englishman equalised after two quickfire SIPG goals had put the Chinese side in front, following Brandon O’Neill’s first-half opener for Sydney. But neither team could find the winner, leaving SIPG two points above the Australian side in Group H.
“We’re disappointed to get the draw and I think we were good value to get the win,” said Le Fondre. “We were pushing all the way and were the team in the ascendancy come the end of the game. We were really disappointed when the full-time whistle went.”
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Shanghai: Shanghai SIPG and Sydney FC battled to a 2-2 draw in their Group H clash on Matchday Four of the 2019 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
The result leaves the group finely balanced, with just two points separating the teams between second and fourth place.
SIPG’s Zhang Wei had a good early effort saved by Andrew Redmayne as the home side started brightly.
But Sydney worked their way into the match and in the 20th minute, Rhyan Grant’s cross found Adam Le Fondre but the Englishman’s volley went wide.
Siem De Jong’s excellent through ball then found Reza Ghoochannejhad but the angle was tight and Yan Junling came out to smother the shot.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Al Sadd coach Jesualdo Ferreira insists there is plenty of work to do in order to qualify for the 2019 AFC Champions League last 16 after the Qatari side secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor on Monday.
Xavi scored his second free-kick – and third goal – in two games as Al Sadd took an early lead at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium before Egor Krimets leveled proceedings as the sides went in level at the interval.
But with the clock ticking down, Baghdad Bounedjah capitalised on a defensive error before slotting home to seal all three points as the 2018 semi-finalists moved to the top of the Group D standings.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Al Ittihad coach José Luis Sierra was satisfied to return to Saudi Arabia with a point after Monday's 1-1 draw in Uzbekistan, despite the side spurning several opportunities.
Joint leading scorers in this year's AFC Champions League after Monday's Matchday Four fixtures, Jeddah side Al Ittihad could feel somewhat disappointed with the solitary goal to show for their 20 shots registered against PFC Lokomotiv.
Romarinho's 12th minute opener gave hope for a third win in four Continental ties, but Temurkhuja Abdukholiqov restored parity for the hosts nine minutes before half-time and, despite, a barrage of efforts on goal from both sides the score remained 1-1 at full-time.