#ACL Final: 1st Leg in Numbers

Mon, 13 May, 2024

#ACL Final: 1st Leg in Numbers

Yokohama: Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos will carry a slender advantage into the second leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final after they edged Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in the first leg at Yokohama International Stadium on Saturday. 

Mohammed Abbas gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute, but Yokohama fought back with goals from Asahi Uenaka and Kouta Watanabe in the 72nd and 84th minutes to gain an upper hand at the halfway point of the title clash. 
 
With the stage set for an exciting conclusion to another edition of the AFC Champions League in Al Ain later this month, the-AFC.com looks back at the stats and facts that caught the eye from a thrilling first leg.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3027760.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3027764.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3027776.html

Kewell proud but urges Yokohama to remain focused

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Kewell proud but urges Yokohama to remain focused

Yokohama: Harry Kewell praised his side’s resilience as Yokohama F Marinos came back from going a goal down to defeat Al Ain 2-1 in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final at Yokohama International Stadium on Saturday, the result giving the J1 League side a slender advantage ahead of the second leg.

Goals from Asahi Uenaka and Kota Watanabe in the final 18 minutes saw Yokohama turn the game on its head after Mohammed Abbas had given Al Ain a 12th minute lead and the result means the Japanese side will go into the second leg on May 25 as slight favourites to lift the trophy for the first time.

Crespo confident Al Ain will turn it around in return leg

Sat, 11 May, 2024

Crespo confident Al Ain will turn it around in return leg

Yokohama: Hernan Crespo has no doubt that Al Ain FC will get the job done in the return leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on May 25.

The United Arab Emirates side let slip a one-goal lead to lose 2-1 against Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos in a pulsating first leg on Saturday but Argentine Crespo is confident his team will have the edge in the reverse fixture at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium.

Kim not happy with Korea Republic’s late show

Mon, 13 May, 2024

Kim not happy with Korea Republic’s late show

Bali: Korea Republic waited until almost the last moment to claim their AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 semi-final berth with head coach Kim Eun-jung admitting her players should have wrapped up qualification much earlier.  

The 1-1 draw against the Philippines on Sunday was enough for the 2009 AFC U-16 Women’s Championship winners to advance alongside DPR Korea with China PR and Japan having confirmed their spots from the other group. 

DPR Korea’s Song delighted with forward pair

Mon, 13 May, 2024

DPR Korea’s Song delighted with forward pair

Bali: DPR Korea produced their best performance yet in the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup™ Indonesia 2024 in their 9-0 defeat of Indonesia on Sunday to cap their Group A campaign with maximum points, 22 goals scored and none conceded.

Despite having already booked their semi-final spot after Matchday Two, head coach Song Sung Gwon did not make wholesale changes with seven players retained from Thursday’s win over Philippines.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Bashundhara Kings continue to reign

Mon, 13 May, 2024

Central & South Asia Wrap: Bashundhara Kings continue to reign

Dhaka: Bashundhara Kings bossed their way to a fifth successive Bangladesh Football Premier League title after attaining an unassailable lead with three more rounds to go.

In Islamic Republic of Iran, the battle for the crown has heated up with defending champions Persepolis overtaking Esteghlal in pole position but having played a match more, while in Uzbekistan, Navbahor climbed to the top of the table.
 
The Tajikistan Super Cup was once again won by Istiklol while matches were also played in Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, so join the-AFC.com as we recap all the domestic action from across Central and South Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Vissel back on top; Port pile pressure on Shenhua

Mon, 13 May, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Vissel back on top; Port pile pressure on Shenhua

Hong Kong: Reigning champions Vissel Kobe returned to the top of the table in Japan following a 4-1 win against Cerezo Osaka on Saturday, but Takayuki Yoshida’s side continue to face fierce competition from Machida Zelvia who remain level on points with the leaders despite a draw with Shonan Bellmare. 

In China PR, Wu Lei scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season to help defending champions Shanghai Port defeat Changchun Yatai 5-2 on Friday and move three points behind league leaders Shanghai Shenhua, who were held goalless by Tianjin Jinmen Tiger, with a game in hand. 
 
Honours were even between defending champions Ulsan Hyundai and challengers Gimcheon Sangmu in Korea Republic while matches also took place in Chinese Taipei, Mongolia, Macau, and Hong Kong, China, so join the-AFC.com as we bring you up to speed with the action from across East Asia.

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal confirm title; Al Seeb champs again

Mon, 13 May, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Hilal confirm title; Al Seeb champs again

Doha: Al Hilal SFC defeated Al Hazm 4-1 on Saturday to confirm the Saudi Pro League 2023/24 title with three matches to spare.

In Oman, Al Seeb clinched the championship while Khalidiya are firmly in control in Bahrain.
 
There were also matches in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan and Kuwait so join the-AFC.com as we recap the past week's action across West Asia.