Group J: Vissel Kobe defeat Kitchee for flying start

Wed, 20 Apr, 2022

Group J: Vissel Kobe defeat Kitchee for flying start

Buriram: Vissel Kobe got their AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group J campaign off to a winning start after securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC at the Buriram City Stadium on Tuesday.

Semi-finalists two years ago, Vissel opened the scoring on the 15-minute mark through Yuta Goke and then doubled their lead when Shion Inoue struck with five minutes remaining before having to survive a late scare after Alex Akande netted for Kitchee in added time. 

The win sees Vissel join Kitchee on top of the three-team Group J on three points, with Thailand's Chiangrai United propping up the table having yet to pick up a point.

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Group H: Sydney, Hoang Anh Gia Lai settle for draw

Wed, 20 Apr, 2022

Group H: Sydney, Hoang Anh Gia Lai settle for draw

Ho Chi Minh: Second half substitute Trent Buhagiar scored with his first touch to earn Sydney FC a 1-1 draw with Vietnam’s Hoang Anh Gia Lai in Group H of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 in Ho Chi Minh City on Tuesday.

Vu Van Thanh had given HAGL a 26th minute lead with a strike from distance before Buhagiar levelled the scores 14 minutes into the second half having just replaced Adam Le Fondre. 
 
The result gives HAGL their first point of the 2022 campaign while Sydney have now drawn both of their games after sharing the points with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in their opening clash on Friday.

Reborn Bergson vows to continue Johor Darul Ta’zim’s breakthrough

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Reborn Bergson vows to continue Johor Darul Ta’zim’s breakthrough

Johor Bahru: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) star Bergson has sent a clear warning to his side’s Group I rivals that the Southern Tigers are merely in the early stages of their ascendancy after the eight-time Malaysian champions stunned Ulsan Hyundai with a 2-1 victory on Monday.

The Brazilian’s match-winner against the two-time champions increased his tally to four goals in two matches as JDT secured back-to-back AFC Champions League™ victories for the first time to top the group on six points.

Kisnorbo declares faith in Melbourne City youth brigade

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Kisnorbo declares faith in Melbourne City youth brigade

Pathum Thani: Melbourne City FC head coach Patrick Kisnorbo declared his belief that his young players can get the job done at the highest level, after a fresh-faced starting line-up secured the club’s first ever AFC Champions League™ win on Monday.

Australian national team stars like Jamie Maclaren and Mathew Leckie are the headline acts at the A-League Champions, but neither started in the comprehensive 3-0 win over United City FC of the Philippines, which sent Melbourne City to the top of Group G after two matches.
 
Instead, it was Marco Tilio, 20, and Colakovski, 21, who shone bright, with Tilio bagging an impressive second half brace after Colakovski had terrorised the United City defence throughout the first period and opened the scoring on 34 minutes.

Rodriguez pleased with Urawa Red Diamonds’ depth

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Rodriguez pleased with Urawa Red Diamonds’ depth

Buriram: Head coach Ricardo Rodriguez is satisfied with how well his Urawa Red Diamonds side have adapted to their desired playstyle after beating Shandong Taishan FC in Group F of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday. 

The Spanish boss made nine changes to his starting line-up, and it was clear how deep talent runs in the Urawa squad as they surged to a 5-0 win with Alex Schalk’s brace complemented by three other scorers. 

Chanathip eyes more glory with free-scoring Kawasaki

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Chanathip eyes more glory with free-scoring Kawasaki

Johor Bahru: Kawasaki Frontale’s Chanathip Songkrasin believes Monday’s commanding 8-0 victory over Guangzhou FC in their AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group I tie is merely a sign of more to come from the four-time J1 League champions

The win placed the Japanese champions second in the standings on four points, with host club Johor Darul Ta’zim – who stunned Ulsan Hyundai 2-1 – leading the standings with two wins.

BG Pathum United can compete with Asia's best, says Teguramori

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

BG Pathum United can compete with Asia's best, says Teguramori

Pathum Thani: Makoto Teguramori said his BG Pathum United side has the potential to compete with the strongest sides in Asia, after they secured a 2-0 win over Korean FA Cup winners Jeonnam Dragons on Matchday Two of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Monday.

The Thai side took control of the match after half-time, with neatly constructed goals to Pathompon Charoenrattanapirom and Jakkapan Praisuwan securing three points and sending Teguramori’s charges to second on the Group G table, with only goal difference keeping them behind Melbourne City. 

The win came on a night where clubs from Malaysia and Singapore also enjoyed success against Korean opponents and, when asked if he believes Southeast Asian sides are closing the gap on the traditional power nations of the tournament, Teguramori revealed his belief that BG Pathum United have all the ingredients to improve on last season’s Round of 16 finish, and challenge the continent’s best.

Kim salutes Lion City Sailors players for historic result

Tue, 19 Apr, 2022

Kim salutes Lion City Sailors players for historic result

Buriram: Head coach Kim Do-hoon was beaming with joy after his Lion City Sailors FC side secured a historic win over Daegu FC on Matchday Two of the AFC Champions League™ Group F on Monday. 

Song Ui-young opened the scoring in the first half, with Diego Lopes and Pedro Henrique striking in the second half to seal the Singapore champions their first-ever win in the tournament. 

Kim’s immediate reaction was to thank his entire team for their spirited performance at the Buriram Stadium, which places the Sailors back on track for a top place finish in the group that also has Shandong Taishan FC and two-time champions Urawa Red Diamonds.