Group Stage cast finalised for AFC Champions League™ 2022

Thu, 17 Mar, 2022

Group Stage cast finalised for AFC Champions League™ 2022

Kuala Lumpur: The stage is set for the AFC Champions League™ 2022 following the conclusion of the playoffs on Tuesday.

Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai and Daegu FC were joined by 2020 semi-finalists Vissel Kobe of Japan from the East Playoffs after an evening of pulsating football.

Saudi Arabia's Al Taawoun, Sharjah from UAE and Uzbekistan's FC Nasaf advanced from the West Playoffs, which were equally exciting affairs.

Daegu FC edge Buriram United on penalties to advance

Tue, 15 Mar, 2022

Daegu FC edge Buriram United on penalties to advance

Daegu: Daegu FC beat Buriram United 3-2 on penalties to reach the 2022 AFC Champions League™ Group Stage on Tuesday. 

A shootout was needed to decide the winners after the tie ended 1-1 after extra time - with both teams scoring in the final minutes. 

Daegu FC proved sharper in the penalty shootout and they join Shandong Taishan FC of China PR, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and Singapore’s Lion City Sailors FC in Group F when the East Zone action kicks off on April 15.

Vissel Kobe beat Melbourne Victory in playoff thriller

Tue, 15 Mar, 2022

Vissel Kobe beat Melbourne Victory in playoff thriller

Kobe: Brazilian striker Lincoln scored five minutes into extra-time to take Vissel Kobe through to the Group Stage of the 2022 AFC Champions League™ on Tuesday as the substitute earned Atsuhiro Miura’s side a dramatic 4-3 playoff win over Melbourne Victory at Misaki Park.

Yuya Osako and Nick D’Agostino both scored braces for their respective teams after Andres Iniesta had put the J.League side in front with six minutes on the clock, with Ben Folami striking in the 90th minute to take the game into extra-time.
 
But Lincoln hit the winner in a seesawing thriller to move Vissel into the next round, where they will join Kitchee SC from Hong Kong, Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port and hosts Chiangrai United in Group J when matches begin in Thailand on April 16.

Ulsan Hyundai defeat Port FC for group stage slot

Tue, 15 Mar, 2022

Ulsan Hyundai defeat Port FC for group stage slot

Ulsan: Two-time winners Ulsan Hyundai of Korea Republic have returned to the AFC Champions League™ group stage after overcoming Thailand’s Port FC 3-0 in the qualifying playoff on Tuesday.

Hong Myung-bo’s side went in front inside 20 minutes at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium through 19-year-old debutant Choi Gi-yun and, after withstanding some Port pressure early in the second half, substitutes Um Won-sang and Leonardo netted in the final 10 minutes to secure Ulsan's passage to the group stage.

The Horangi will now take their place in Group I alongside J1 League champions Kawasaki Frontale, China PR’s Guangzhou FC and hosts Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia.

Sharjah persevere against Al Zawraa

Wed, 16 Mar, 2022

Sharjah persevere against Al Zawraa

Sharjah: Sharjah booked their place in the 2022 AFC Champions League™ after pulling through a tough playoff tie against Al Zawraa with a 6-5 penalty shootout win after a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes at the Sharjah Stadium on Tuesday.

The Emirati side, who had reached the knockout stage in 2021, will now join reigning champions Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan's FC Istiklol and Qatar's Al Rayyan SC in Group A. 

Al Taawoun deny Al Jaish

Wed, 16 Mar, 2022

Al Taawoun deny Al Jaish

Al Qassim: Al Taawoun returned to the AFC Champions League™ for the second time in their history after defeating Syria’s Al Jaish SC 5-4 on penalties after the two sides had played out a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

The Saudi side Join Al Duhail SC of Qatar, IR Iran’s Sepahan and Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor in Group D which they will host in Buraidah. This will be their second appearance in the competition, having reached the Round of 16 in 2020.

FC Nasaf cruise past Baniyas

Wed, 16 Mar, 2022

FC Nasaf cruise past Baniyas

Abu Dhabi: FC Nasaf secured a place in the 2022 AFC Champions League™ group stage in style, defeating Baniyas 2-0 in their playoff on Tuesday.

Dynamic left-back Sherzod Nasrullaev gave the Uzbek side a half-time lead, before Khusain Norchaev sealed the win 15 minutes from time as Ruzikul Berdiev’s 2021 AFC Cup runners-up continued their recent love affair with continental football. 

Nasaf’s win means they will join Qatar’s Al Sadd, Jordan’s Al Wehdat and Al Faisaly of Saudi Arabia in the Dammam-based Group E, while Baniyas’ Asian ambitions ended abruptly on home soil.