Group by Group Preview: AFC Champions League™ 2022 (EAST)

Mon, 11 Apr, 2022

Group by Group Preview: AFC Champions League™ 2022 (EAST)

Kuala Lumpur: Following fast on the footsteps of the West Zone, the AFC Champions League™ 2022 is set to kick off on April 15, with the five groups spread across Southeast Asia and the action taking place in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia.

From venues to past encounters, to the players set to make an impact in 2022, the-AFC.com profiles each of the groups.

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Group A: Al Hilal turn on the style against Al Rayyan

Tue, 12 Apr, 2022

Group A: Al Hilal turn on the style against Al Rayyan

Riyadh: Ramon Diaz’s Al Hilal SFC made it six points from six with a comfortable 3-0 win against Al Rayyan SC in Group A of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.

Al Hilal started off on the front foot, with Micheal Oliveira - the man who scored the winner against Sharjah FC in the previous game - rising up highest to meet a well placed cross by Mohammad Al Burayk but his header scraped the roof of the net before going out.

Group B: Mumbai City edge Air Force Club for historic triumph

Tue, 12 Apr, 2022

Group B: Mumbai City edge Air Force Club for historic triumph

Riyadh: Mumbai City came back from a goal down to defeat Air Force Club 2-1 in Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday, the first win for an Indian side at this stage of the continental showpiece.

After a goalless first half, substitute Hammadi Ahmad gave Air Force Club the lead before Mumbai City rallied with goals from Diego Maurício and Rahul Bheke to seal the historic win at the King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.

Group E: Stanojevic double takes FC Nasaf past Al Wehdat

Tue, 12 Apr, 2022

Group E: Stanojevic double takes FC Nasaf past Al Wehdat

Dammam: Two second-half goals from Marko Stanojevic gave FC Nasaf a valuable 2-0 win against Al Wehdat SC on Matchday Two of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group E on Monday.

After a goalless first half, Stanojevic struck in the 71st and 85th minutes to help Nasaf collect all three points and their first win in the group. 

Crespo credits Al Duhail players for hard-fought Sepahan victory

Mon, 11 Apr, 2022

Crespo credits Al Duhail players for hard-fought Sepahan victory

Buraidah: Al Duhail SC head coach Hernan Crespo credited his players with the way his side battled to come out 1-0 winners against Sepahan FC in Group D of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Sunday.

Michael Olunga left it late to get the goal that gave his side their first three points through a magnificent diving header following a floated pass from club captain Almoez Ali. The result was their first win under Crespo who joined the Qatar Stars League side last month, yet the former forward knows that there is still more to come.

Olunga continued his streak of scoring against Iranian opposition, taking his tally to six goals in three matches after putting five past Esteghlal FC in the 2021 edition of the tournament. 

Alaaeldin delighted to conjure winning moment for Al Gharafa

Mon, 11 Apr, 2022

Alaaeldin delighted to conjure winning moment for Al Gharafa

Jeddah: Ahmed Alaaeldin was pleased to help Al Gharafa secure their first win in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 after scoring the second goal against Ahal FC to push his side to the top of Group C. 

Alaaeldin came on as a substitute after the hour mark and the 29-year-old was a constant threat on the counter as Ahal FC pushed for the equaliser.  

The forward forced Ahal FC’s goalkeeper to make two fine stops five minutes from time but made no mistakes in the 87th minute when his right footed strike found the bottom left corner to spark jubilant celebrations. 

Vojneski hails Pakhtakor defence after Al Taawoun win

Mon, 11 Apr, 2022

Vojneski hails Pakhtakor defence after Al Taawoun win

Buraidah: Head coach Slavce Vojneski lauded his side’s defence for silencing opposition striker Leandre Tawamba as Pakhtakor sealed a 1-0 victory against Al Taawoun in Group D of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Sunday.

Tawamba had bagged a goal and an assist in Al Taawoun’s 2-1 opening match win over Al Duhail, but on Sunday he was left with little room to breathe as the Uzbek Super League champions bounced back from their 3-1 Matchday One defeat against Sepahan to collect their first three points.

Vojneski’s men built their win on a foundation of solid defending and explosive pace, and were rewarded for their efforts with an 83rd-minute goal from Khojimat Erkinov who latched onto a through pass from fellow substitute Ikromjon Alibaev and slotted home the only goal of the night.

Substitutes shine for Shahab Al Ahli, Foolad's Nekounam laments poor decisions

Mon, 11 Apr, 2022

Substitutes shine for Shahab Al Ahli, Foolad's Nekounam laments poor decisions

Jeddah: Shabab Al Ahli Dubai’s tactician Mahdi Ali has praised his super-subs for their heroics against Foolad Khouzestan FC that earned them a point in Group C of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 after being on the brink of defeat on Sunday. 

Foolad looked poised for a first win in the campaign before goal scorer Fede Cartabia from Argentina, assisted by another substitute Yahya Al Ghassani, stepped up to net the equaliser in injury time to cancel out an own goal from Ahmad Noorollahi in the 83rd minute.