FC Seoul are back where we belong, says Osmar

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

FC Seoul are back where we belong, says Osmar

Seoul: Spaniard Osmar Barba went from zero to hero on Tuesday for FC Seoul, scoring an own goal before firing home a free-kick to restore the club's two-goal cushion on the way to a 4-1 victory over Malaysia's Kedah FA and a place in the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage.

The 31-year-old spoke exclusively to the-AFC.com following the play-off tie at Seoul World Cup Stadium and he reflected on the match, the importance of playing in the AFC Champions League, his favourite memories from the competition so far, and his hopes for 2020.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2020_-_play-offs_fc_seoul_4-1_kedah.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/osmar_barba-fc_seoul.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/fc_seoul_team_photo.html

Play-off: FC Seoul (KOR) 4-1 Kedah (MAS)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Play-off: FC Seoul (KOR) 4-1 Kedah (MAS)

FC Seoul brushed aside 10-man Kedah to book their place in the group phase of the 2020 AFC Champions League on Tuesday as Choi Yong-soo’s side handed the Malaysians a 4-1 defeat at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

The 2013 runners-up will go into Group E when the tournament begins next month, where they will face Chinese Super League side Beijing FC, Thai champions Chiangrai United and Melbourne Victory from Australia.

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.

Majidi: Esteghlal have high ambitions in ACL 2020

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Majidi: Esteghlal have high ambitions in ACL 2020

Doha: Esteghlal FC head coach Farhad Majidi was a happy man following Tuesday’s victory against Qatar’s Al Rayyan in their 2020 AFC Champions League play-off match.

The former Islamic Republic of Iran national team forward saw Esteghlal score five goals against their hosts at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium to book their place in the group stage of the competition for the fourth consecutive year.

Al Ain deserve to go through, says head coach Emanuel

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Ain deserve to go through, says head coach Emanuel

Al Ain: Head coach Pedro Emanuel said Al Ain FC were worthy winners over FC Bunyodkor as the UAE Pro League side advanced to the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage on Tuesday.

Despite Saeed Juma’s second-half strike ultimately deciding the tie, Al Ain dominated against the Uzbekistan club at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

Play-off: FC Tokyo (JPN) 2-0 Ceres Negros FC (PHI)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Play-off: FC Tokyo (JPN) 2-0 Ceres Negros FC (PHI)

Tokyo: FC Tokyo overcame both Ceres Negros and a wet Tokyo Stadium pitch to qualify for the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage with a 2-0 win on Tuesday.

Second half goals from Sei Muroya and Adaílton Da Silva stamped Tokyo’s ticket to the tournament proper, in the process ending Ceres Negros’ bid to become the first club from the Philippines to reach the group stage.

Tokyo’s win means the 2019 J1 League runners-up will join Ulsan Hyundai, Shanghai Shenhua and Perth Glory in Group F, which begins on February 11.

Play-off: Shanghai SIPG FC (CHN) 3-0 Buriram United (THA)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Play-off: Shanghai SIPG FC (CHN) 3-0 Buriram United (THA)

Shanghai SIPG secured their place in the group phase of the 2020 AFC Champions League on Tuesday as late goals from Li Shenglong, Marko Arnautovic and Hulk earned the Chinese side a 3-0 play-off win over Buriram United at Shanghai Yuanshen Stadium.

Li broke Buriram’s stubborn resistance 15 minutes from time in a one-sided match-up in which the Thais defended doggedly before Arnautovic added a second in injury time and Hulk struck from the penalty spot.

Vitor Pereira’s side will now feature in Group H of the AFC Champions League, where they will meet Australia’s Sydney FC, J.League champions Yokohama F Marinos and two-time champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from Korea Republic.