Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The big kick off to the 2018 AFC Champions League will see a number of world-renowned players take to the stage for the first time in Asia’s biggest club competition.
With FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League winners among the debutants, the-AFC.com picks out five stars who could shine in the weeks and months ahead.
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/xavi_2_1.html
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/alexandre_pato.html
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/sneijder_2.html
https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/obafemi_martins.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: AFC Cup action returns to West Asia on Monday with holders Air Force Club of Iraq among the teams to get their 2018 campaign underway.
Groups A to C will feature 12 sides from six countries, including three former winners, as the contenders from the West Zone aim to continue the region’s dominance in the competition.
Group A
Jordan’s Al Jazeera couldn’t have picked a tougher return to continental action on Monday as they face defending champions Air Force Club, who have twice entered the tournament and won it on each occasion.
The Baghdad side are aiming to win an unprecedented third title in a row, while Al Jazeera will be looking to at least match their Round of 16 appearance in 2015.
Also in Group A, Bahraini champions Malkiya make their tournament bow when they welcome Oman’s Al Suwaiq to Isa Town on Monday.
The visitors have appeared in the competition four times, with their best performance to date coming in 2012 when they reached the last 16.
Air Force Club (IRQ) v Al Jazeera (JOR)
Venue: Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium, Al Wakrah
Kick-off: February 12, 18:00 (UTC+3)
Malkiya (BHR) v Al Suwaiq (OMA)
Venue: Khalifa Sports City Stadium, Isa Town
Kick-off: February 12, 18:15 (UTC+3)
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The 16 teams from East Asia will kick off their AFC Champions League 2018 group stage campaigns next week with eight matches taking place over Tuesday and Wednesday.
Last winners Urawa Red Diamonds may be absent, but four former continental champions – Korea Republic trio Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Ulsan Hyundai and Suwon Samsung Bluewings, as well as China’s Guangzhou Evergrande – will be among the main draws.
Group E
After missing out last year, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will make their first appearance on the continent since winning the title in 2016 when they host Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol (pictured above) on Tuesday.
Jeonbuk are an Asian powerhouse, having also won the tournament in 2006, while Kashiwa return after missing the last two editions but have never failed to make it beyond the group stage.
A pair of debutants take to the field in Tuesday’s other Group E fixture, meanwhile, as a star-studded Tianjin Quanjian side welcome Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC to northern China.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) v Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)
Venue: Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju
Kick-off: February 13, 19:30 UTC+9
Tianjin Quanjian (CHN) v Kitchee SC (HKG)
Venue: Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium, Tianjin
Kick-off: February 13, 20:00 UTC+8
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kashiwa: Kashiwa Reysol coach Takahiro Shimotaira is tasking his side with going all the way to glory in the 2018 AFC Champions League ahead of their Group E opener against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Shimotaira made it clear he is not just content for his club to be back in the AFC Champions League, and insisted that he wants the trophy won by Urawa Red Diamonds last season to remain in Japan.
“Our aim is to win the title - we want to become champions of Asia,” the 46-year-old said.
“As a club, that is very important and we have to make the most of this chance.”