Diaz wants more from Al Hilal

Tue, 21 Feb, 2023

Diaz wants more from Al Hilal

Al Wakrah: Al Hilal SFC may have kept their AFC Champions League™ title defence on track with a 3-1 win over Shabab Al Ahli Dubai in their Round of 16 tie on Monday but head coach Ramon Diaz wasn’t totally satisfied with their performance.

While Al Hilal - seeking to win the AFC Champions League title for the third time in four years - were good value for the win, Shabab Al Ahli had their moments at the Al Janoub Stadium and would have made their opponents pay had they been sharper with their finishing.

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Nekounam hails passion of Foolad Khouzestan players

Tue, 21 Feb, 2023

Nekounam hails passion of Foolad Khouzestan players

Doha: Javad Nekounam may have stunned those present with his statement that the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Round of 16 win over Al Faisaly was his last match in charge but the head coach was effusive in his praise of his Foolad Khouzestan players for advancing to the quarter-finals.

The Islamic Republic of Iran side may have only beaten Saudi Arabia’s Al Faisaly 1-0 but Foolad dominated from start to finish at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha on Monday and Nekounam was delighted with their performance. 

Ouzounidis expects Al Faisaly to rise

Tue, 21 Feb, 2023

Ouzounidis expects Al Faisaly to rise

Doha: Marino Ouzounidis was not too despondent despite seeing his Al Faisaly side eliminated from the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday.

The Saudi Arabian side were edged 1-0 by Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foolad Khouzestan in their Round of 16 tie at the Al Thumama Stadium but Ouzounidis said the result was a foregone conclusion after what Al Faisaly had endured since the group stage of the continental tournament last April. 

Al Hilal stay on course to defend title

Tue, 21 Feb, 2023

Al Hilal stay on course to defend title

Al Wakrah: Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC continued their AFC Champions League™ title defence, advancing into the quarter-finals after overcoming Shabab Al Ahli Dubai 3-1 in the last Round-of-16 encounter at Al Janoub Stadium on Monday.

Al Hilal join compatriots Al Shabab, Qatar’s Al Duhail and Islamic Republic of Iran’s Foolad in the next round, with a place opposite Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the two-legged final up for grabs.

Ansari strike takes Foolad Khouzestan through

Tue, 21 Feb, 2023

Ansari strike takes Foolad Khouzestan through

Doha: Captain Sasan Ansari’s second-half goal was the difference as Foolad Khouzestan reached the AFC Champions League™ 2022 quarter-finals, beating Saudi Arabia’s Al Faisaly 1-0 in Monday’s Round-of-16 encounter at Al Thumama Stadium.

The victory, however, was followed by Javad Nekounam announcing at the post-match press conference that it was his last match in charge as head coach of Foolad. 

Al Shabab's Peris focused on next opponents

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Al Shabab's Peris focused on next opponents

Al Wakrah: Vicente Peris has called for focus after Al Shabab FC cruised 2-0 past FC Nasaf to book a place in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 quarter-finals.

The Saudi Arabia side were hardly troubled by their Uzbekistan opponents as goals by Hussain Al Qahtani and captain Ever Banega made it a comfortable win at the Al Janoub Stadium on Sunday. 

Edmilson: Final within Al Duhail’s reach

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Edmilson: Final within Al Duhail’s reach

Doha: Edmilson Junior believes Al Duhail SC have what it takes to make the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final after their gritty win over Al Rayyan SC in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

Al Duhail were tested to the limit by a hardy Al Rayyan who refused to give up despite staring at defeat, with Hernan Crespo’s side finally advancing with a 7-6 penalty shootout win after the tie ended 1-1 at the Al Thumama Stadium. 

Fighting performance a boost for Al Rayyan, says Cordova

Mon, 20 Feb, 2023

Fighting performance a boost for Al Rayyan, says Cordova

Doha: There was heartbreak in the end but Nicolas Cordova was lifted by the performance of his Al Rayyan SC side in their AFC Champions League™ (West) 2022 Round of 16 tie against Al Duhail SC on Sunday.

Al Rayyan produced a fighting performance against Al Duhail, who needed penalties to see off the challenge of their fellow Qatari side at the Al Thumama Stadium in Doha. 

Cordova’s side refused to back down in the absorbing encounter, forcing the match to a shootout after drawing level through Steven Nzonzi deep in added time in the second period of extra-time, with Al Duhail goalkeeper Salah Zakaria saving Al Rayyan’s seventh spot-kick for a 7-6 win.