Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Hamid Ismaeil has sung the praises of Xavi Hernandez after the Al Sadd captain scored twice in an entertaining 2-2 draw against Pakhtakor in Group D of the 2019 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
Making his first appearance in this year’s competition after a lengthy injury lay-off, the Spanish midfielder opened the scoring in the sixth minute at Pakhtakor Stadium with a sweetly struck curling effort from the edge of the area.
Then, after the Uzbek side levelled through Khojiakbar Alijonov's rocket from distance, the 2010 FIFA World Cup winner netted a delightful free-kick from just outside the right side of the penalty area.
www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/group_d_pakhtakor_v_al_sadd_sc.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/hamid_ismaeil.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Jinan: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) skipper Hariss Harun wants his teammates to show more belief in themselves after a sloppy first-half showing led to a 2-1 defeat at Shandong Luneng on Matchday Three of the 2019 AFC Champions League.
Goals from former English Premier League stars Marouane Fellaini and Graziano Pelle handed the Chinese side a 2-0 half-time lead in the Group E clash at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre.
The Malaysian champions rallied after the interval and pulled a goal back through Safawi Rasid’s stunning long-range effort, but defeat leaves them with an uphill challenge to reach the knockout rounds.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor came from behind twice against Qatar’s Al Sadd as the two sides played out a 2-2 draw at Pakhtakor Central Stadium on Matchday Three of the 2019 AFC Champions League Group D on Monday.
The recently crowned Qatar Stars League champions came into the match having ended a four-match winless run in the competition. Meanwhile, Pakhtakor hoped to stay unbeaten on top of the group with a home win.
Both sides made their attacking intents clear from the start and Pakhtakor’s Jaloliddin Masharipov tested the goalkeeper from distance just 90 seconds into the match.
Al Sadd’s first sight of goal came quickly after and it was decisive as Baghdad Bounedjah supplied a low cross for Xavi who curled it from the edge of the box into the top corner to open the scoring for the visitors in the sixth minute.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis recorded their first win of the 2019 AFC Champions League, defeating Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli 2-0 on Matchday Three of Group D on Tuesday.
The 2018 finalists took the lead for the first time this campaign after 18 minutes with what was the first real chance of the match.
Al Ahli's defence failed to deal with a long throw-in from Mehdi Shiri and defender Shojae Khalilzadeh was in the right spot and went for the spectacular, volleying home from inside the box past a helpless Mohammed Al Owais.
Two minutes later, Ahmad Noorollahi tried his luck for Persepolis from distance, but his shot missed by inches.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Goalkeeper Khaled Eisa insisted the 2-2 draw against Qatar’s Al Duhail at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium was a vital one for the injury-hit and out-of-form Al Ain side.
The 2017 AFC Champions League finalists came from two goals down inside the first half an hour to rescue their second point in the continental campaign.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Zobahan coach Alireza Mansourian was delighted with the way his side responded after the Iran Pro League side recorded a come-from-behind 3-1 win against the UAE's Al Wasl in Group A on Monday.
For a second consecutive AFC Champions League tie, Zobahan conceded early only to rebound in impressive style to secure victory.
Caio's 14th minute opener at Al Wasl Stadium wasn't quite as quick as the goal Al Nassr's Giuliano netted to put Zobahan behind on Matchday Two, but the Isfahan side needed just two minutes to restore parity through Christian Osaguona before adding further goals from Amir Motahari and Hamid Bou Hamdan.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Veteran defender Pejman Montazeri was on the scoresheet as Esteghlal FC defeated Al Hilal SFC 2-1 on Monday, and the 36-year-old said the victory has brought renewed hope for the 2019 AFC Champions League campaign.
A recent poor run that included a defeat to bitter rivals Persepolis was not the ideal preparation for a difficult-looking Group C clash against Saudi Arabia powerhouse Al Hilal, but Tehran giants Esteghlal rose to the occasion to secure a priceless win - their first of the 2019 edition - and stay in contention in the race for the Round 16.