Gracia lauds Al Sadd's second half display in Al Wehdat comeback victory

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Gracia lauds Al Sadd's second half display in Al Wehdat comeback victory

Dammam: Al Sadd SC head coach Javi Gracia lauded his side’s second-half display as they came from 2-1 down at halftime to defeat Al Wehdat 5-2 in Group E of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Friday.

Akram Afif had given Al Sadd the lead from the penalty spot midway through the first, but two goals in quick succession from Ahmed Sameer and Mohammed Anas sent Al Wehdat into the dressing rooms with the advantage.

Gracia’s men came back from the break a different side, dominating and cruising past their opponents. Santi Cazorla’s powerful strike brought them level, Andre Ayew headed home the third before substitutes Rodrigo Tabata and Mohammed Waad added their name to the scoresheet to complete the rout.

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Lion City Sailors will close the gap, says coach Kim

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Lion City Sailors will close the gap, says coach Kim

Buriram: Singapore’s Lion City Sailors FC kicked off their maiden AFC Champions League™ campaign with a 4-1 defeat to Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan, but head coach Kim Do-hoon has promised to ‘reduce the gap’ in their upcoming Group F matches. 

The J League side cruised to an opening day win with four different players etching their names on the scoresheet, and were denied a clean sheet by David Moberg’s first half on goal. 

Last gasp defeat tough to take, says United City’s Withe

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Last gasp defeat tough to take, says United City’s Withe

Pathum Thani: United City FC boss Jason Withe revealed his disappointment after a last gasp Jeonnam Dragons winner denied his side a draw in their opening AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group G clash at Pathum Thani Stadium on Friday.

The Filipino side kept the Korean FA Cup winners to few clear-cut chances during a strong first half performance, but Jeonnam took control after the interval, edging closer and closer to a breakthrough before Leonard Pllana’s 87th-minute strike secured a 1-0 win.

Mora rallies Johor Darul Ta’zim to build on historic victory

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Mora rallies Johor Darul Ta’zim to build on historic victory

Johor Bahru: Prior to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT)’s 5-0 masterclass against Guangzhou FC in Friday’s Group I opener, the Southern Tigers had managed just three victories since their debut in the AFC Champions League™ in 2019, with the single-goal margin the common denominator across all three triumphs.

Not only was Friday’s commanding spectacle JDT’s best-ever start to the AFC Champions League™, but it was also their biggest winning margin on Asia’s pinnacle club stage and head coach Benjamin Mora is confident his charges will carry the momentum as they seek to navigate past the group stage for the first time. 

Daegu’s Gama hails team for massive win

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Daegu’s Gama hails team for massive win

Buriram: Daegu FC head coach Alexandre Gama praised his team for executing their plans perfectly to pick up their first win in Group F of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Friday. 

The K League outfit scored seven unanswered goals to secure the three points against Shandong Taishan FC at the Buriram City Stadium to sit top of the standings, with Urawa Red Diamonds in second place on goal difference. 

Melbourne City’s Kisnorbo impressed by response to AFC Champions League™ challenge

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Melbourne City’s Kisnorbo impressed by response to AFC Champions League™ challenge

Pathum Thani: Melbourne City FC head coach Patrick Kisnorbo was full of praise for his players, after they emerged from the club’s first ever AFC Champions League™ fixture with a 1-1 draw against BG Pathum United in Group G on Friday. 

The Australian champions had to deal with warm conditions, the absence of a trio of key midfielders and the new experience of playing in Asia’s top competition at Pathum Thani Stadium, but a fast start saw them take the lead through Andrew Nabbout’s 25-yard rocket midway through the first half. 

In-form group hosts BG Pathum responded in style to draw level through veteran Thai international Teerasil Dangda in the 35th minute, before both sides had chances to claim all three points in a keenly contested second half.

Oniki lauds Kawasaki’s fighting spirit, Hong backs Ulsan’s Jo to rebound

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Oniki lauds Kawasaki’s fighting spirit, Hong backs Ulsan’s Jo to rebound

Johor Bahru: Kawasaki Frontale head coach Toru Oniki hailed his charges for their spirited display after the J.League leaders snatched an injury-time equaliser in their AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group I opener against two-time champions Ulsan Hyundai on Friday. 

Just when it seemed the Japanese side were on the brink of defeat, substitute Shintaro Kurumaya’s left footed shot towards the bottom right corner of Jo Hyeon-woo’s goal, after an uncharacteristic mid-air fumble by the Korea Republic custodian, gifted Kawasaki a precious point in an intense battle between the two East Asian giants.