Double win puts Foolad in driver’s seat, Ahal FC lack cutting edge

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Double win puts Foolad in driver’s seat, Ahal FC lack cutting edge

Jeddah: Foolad Khouzestan FC head coach Javad Nekounam lauded his charges for securing their second consecutive AFC Champions League™ 2022 victory against Ahal FC on Monday but said the race to the finishing line is far from over. 

After grinding to a 1-0 victory over the debutants, Foolad jumped to the top of Group C on eight points, two ahead of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai who defeated Al Gharafa on Matchday Four with the Qatari club third on five points.
 
Very little separates the teams in the immensely challenging group but the back-to-back victories have put Foolad in good stead for the remaining two match days. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2022_-_group_c_|_ahal_fc_tkm_0-1_foolad_khouzestan_fc_irn.html

Buckingham proud of Mumbai City, Keizer expects Al Jazira to improve

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Buckingham proud of Mumbai City, Keizer expects Al Jazira to improve

Riyadh: Des Buckingham was proud of his Mumbai City charges following their goalless draw with UAE's Al Jazira in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group B at King Fahd International Stadium on Monday.

With both teams not able to find the back of the net, they remain level in Group B with four points with two matches to play.

 Buckingham's side next take on Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab on Friday, while Al Jazira play Air Force Club of Iraq.

Chanathip eyes more glory with free-scoring Kawasaki

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Chanathip eyes more glory with free-scoring Kawasaki

Johor Bahru: Kawasaki Frontale’s Chanathip Songkrasin believes Monday’s commanding 8-0 victory over Guangzhou FC in their AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group I tie is merely a sign of more to come from the four-time J1 League champions

The win placed the Japanese champions second in the standings on four points, with host club Johor Darul Ta’zim – who stunned Ulsan Hyundai 2-1 – leading the standings with two wins.

Kim salutes Lion City Sailors players for historic result

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Kim salutes Lion City Sailors players for historic result

Buriram: Head coach Kim Do-hoon was beaming with joy after his Lion City Sailors FC side secured a historic win over Daegu FC on Matchday Two of the AFC Champions League™ Group F on Monday. 

Song Ui-young opened the scoring in the first half, with Diego Lopes and Pedro Henrique striking in the second half to seal the Singapore champions their first-ever win in the tournament. 

Kim’s immediate reaction was to thank his entire team for their spirited performance at the Buriram Stadium, which places the Sailors back on track for a top place finish in the group that also has Shandong Taishan FC and two-time champions Urawa Red Diamonds. 

BG Pathum United can compete with Asia's best, says Teguramori

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

BG Pathum United can compete with Asia's best, says Teguramori

Pathum Thani: Makoto Teguramori said his BG Pathum United side has the potential to compete with the strongest sides in Asia, after they secured a 2-0 win over Korean FA Cup winners Jeonnam Dragons on Matchday Two of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday.

The Thai side took control of the match after half-time, with neatly constructed goals to Pathompon Charoenrattanapirom and Jakkapan Praisuwan securing three points and sending Teguramori’s charges to second on the Group G table, with only goal difference keeping them behind Melbourne City. 

The win came on a night where clubs from Malaysia and Singapore also enjoyed success against Korean opponents and, when asked if he believes Southeast Asian sides are closing the gap on the traditional power nations of the tournament, Teguramori revealed his belief that BG Pathum United have all the ingredients to improve on last season’s Round of 16 finish, and challenge the continent’s best.

Reborn Bergson vows to continue Johor Darul Ta’zim’s breakthrough

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Reborn Bergson vows to continue Johor Darul Ta’zim’s breakthrough

Johor Bahru: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) star Bergson has sent a clear warning to his side’s Group I rivals that the Southern Tigers are merely in the early stages of their ascendancy after the eight-time Malaysian champions stunned Ulsan Hyundai with a 2-1 victory on Monday.

The Brazilian’s match-winner against the two-time champions increased his tally to four goals in two matches as JDT secured back-to-back AFC Champions League™ victories for the first time to top the group on six points.

Kisnorbo declares faith in Melbourne City youth brigade

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Kisnorbo declares faith in Melbourne City youth brigade

Pathum Thani: Melbourne City FC head coach Patrick Kisnorbo declared his belief that his young players can get the job done at the highest level, after a fresh-faced starting line-up secured the club’s first ever AFC Champions League™ win on Monday.

Australian national team stars like Jamie Maclaren and Mathew Leckie are the headline acts at the A-League Champions, but neither started in the comprehensive 3-0 win over United City FC of the Philippines, which sent Melbourne City to the top of Group G after two matches.
 
Instead, it was Marco Tilio, 20, and Colakovski, 21, who shone bright, with Tilio bagging an impressive second half brace after Colakovski had terrorised the United City defence throughout the first period and opened the scoring on 34 minutes.

Rodriguez pleased with Urawa Red Diamonds’ depth

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Rodriguez pleased with Urawa Red Diamonds’ depth

Buriram: Head coach Ricardo Rodriguez is satisfied with how well his Urawa Red Diamonds side have adapted to their desired playstyle after beating Shandong Taishan FC in Group F of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday. 

The Spanish boss made nine changes to his starting line-up, and it was clear how deep talent runs in the Urawa squad as they surged to a 5-0 win with Alex Schalk’s brace complemented by three other scorers.