Hoang Anh Gia Lai eye return after AFC Champions League heroics

Sun, 01 May, 2022

Hoang Anh Gia Lai eye return after AFC Champions League heroics

Ho Chi Minh: Forward Nguyen Van Toan and head coach Kiatisuk Senamuang vowed that Hoang Anh Gia Lai will be back in next year's AFC Champions League™ after the Vietnamese side concluded this year's campaign with a 1-0 win over Sydney FC on Sunday.

Making a return to the AFC Champions League after a 16-year absence, HAGL won many admirers with their never-say-die attitude as they finished with five points, claiming four of those against Sydney and the fifth from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

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Group H: Hoang Anh Gia Lai edge Sydney FC to sign off in style

Mon, 02 May, 2022

Group H: Hoang Anh Gia Lai edge Sydney FC to sign off in style

Ho Chi Minh City: Washington Brandao’s first half strike earned Hoang Anh Gia Lai a 1-0 win over Sydney FC in Group H in Ho Chi Minh City as the Vietnamese side closed out the AFC Champions League™ 2022 with their first victory of the campaign.

The Brazilian struck six minutes before halftime to secure a third place finish for Kiatisuk Senamuang’s team and leave the Australians bottom of the standings at the end of a demanding 16 days.
 
HAGL moved onto five points from their six games, three more than Sydney while Yokohama F Marinos and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will meet later in the day to determine who finishes top of the standings.

Group J: Kitchee hold Vissel Kobe to book historic last 16 spot

Mon, 02 May, 2022

Group J: Kitchee hold Vissel Kobe to book historic last 16 spot

Buriram: Kitchee SC made Hong Kong football history by securing a first-ever place in the AFC Champions League™ Round of 16 after a 2-2 draw with Group J winners Japan’s Vissel Kobe at Buriram Stadium on Sunday.

A point was all Alex Chu Chi-kwong’s men needed to secure one of the three best runners-up places in the 2022 edition and, courtesy of a stoppage time header from Raul Baena, the Hong Kong Premier League champions marked a significant continental milestone.

Ecstatic Mora credits Johor Darul Ta’zim fans for historic victory

Sun, 01 May, 2022

Ecstatic Mora credits Johor Darul Ta’zim fans for historic victory

Johor Bahru: Benjamin Mora’s Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) gave their passionate supporters at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium an unforgettable night to remember on Saturday with an injury-time 2-1 triumph over Ulsan Hyundai clinching their passage into the AFC Champions League™ Round of 16 for the very first time in the club’s history. 

And in return, a grateful boss Mora has paid tribute to the JDT faithful for their fervent support and giving them a numerical advantage in spirit on the pitch throughout their momentous run. 

Hong urges Ulsan Hyundai to turn continental heartbreak into K-League glory

Sun, 01 May, 2022

Hong urges Ulsan Hyundai to turn continental heartbreak into K-League glory

Johor Bahru: Ulsan Hyundai head coach Hong Myung-bo has backed his charges to rebound on the domestic front as the Horangi were handed a devastating 2-1 stoppage-time defeat against Group I rivals Johor Darul Ta’zim on Saturday, which effectively ended their hopes of remaining in this season’s AFC Champions League™.

As one of the most successful clubs in Asian football history, the Horangi were visibly crestfallen as Park Yong-woo’s stoppage time own-goal handed the winners in 2020 and 2012 their first exit from the group stage since 2017.

Urawa Red Diamonds to carry momentum into domestic campaign, says coach Rodriguez

Sun, 01 May, 2022

Urawa Red Diamonds to carry momentum into domestic campaign, says coach Rodriguez

Buriram: Urawa Red Diamonds booked a first appearance in the AFC Champions League™ Round of 16 for the first time since 2019, after an incredible Group F campaign in Buriram. 

Urawa were unstoppable against Shandong Taishan FC in their final group tie on Saturday as they scored a resounding 5-0 win to stay on course for a third continental title. 

First, however, Urawa will return back to the city of Saitama and rejoin the J1 League battle, with head coach Ricardo Rodriguez determined to capitalise on the experience gained in the AFC Champions League to boost their domestic campaign, especially after the signing of new recruits Alex Schalk and David Moberg.

Kim hails Lion City Sailors' progress, Gama applauds Daegu’s spirit

Sun, 01 May, 2022

Kim hails Lion City Sailors' progress, Gama applauds Daegu’s spirit

Buriram: The head coaches of Lion City Sailors FC and Daegu FC only had words of praise for their respective teams' impressive performances at the end of their AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group F campaign. 

In a winner-takes-all encounter, Daegu absolutely impressed as they completed a comeback with an inspired second half to win 2-1 against the Sailors. 

The result took Daegu top of the group with 13 points, to secure their place in the Round of 16, alongside Urawa Red Diamonds, who advanced as one of the three best second-placed teams. 

Kisnorbo: We stuck to the plan in United City goal chase

Sun, 01 May, 2022

Kisnorbo: We stuck to the plan in United City goal chase

Pathum Thani: Patrick Kisnorbo revealed that his Melbourne City side did not stray from their original approach for Saturday’s 3-0 win against United City FC, despite being handed a five-goal winning target to advance to the AFC Champions League™ 2022 knockout stage.

The A-League champions woke up on Saturday morning not knowing what would be required to win Group G, but BG Pathum’s 0-0 draw against Jeonnam Dragons just prior to their match gave them a clear scenario: win by five goals and advance to the Round of 16 as group winners.
 
Their failure to do so means Melbourne City are now waiting for the final matches in Groups H and J, to be played later on Sunday, to determine whether they will progress as one of the three best group runners-up.

Teguramori laments BG Pathum’s lost opportunity before Melbourne City reprieve

Sun, 01 May, 2022

Teguramori laments BG Pathum’s lost opportunity before Melbourne City reprieve

Pathum Thani: BG Pathum United head coach Makoto Teguramori rued an AFC Champions League™ 2022 Round of 16 berth gone begging on Saturday, only for a result later on the night to send the Thai club through as group winners.

The Group G hosts’ goalless draw against Jeonnam Dragons looked to have opened the door for Melbourne City to win the section in their final match, but the Australian outfit could only manage a 3-0 win over United City, not the five-goal margin they required to leapfrog BG Pathum.