Kashima seal quarter-final berth

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kashima seal quarter-final berth

Hiroshima: Shoma Doi scored twice as Kashima Antlers squeezed through to the quarter-finals of the 2019 AFC Champions League on Tuesday, advancing on the away goals rule despite losing 3-2 in the second leg of their Round of 16 clash with fellow J.League side Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

Kashima progressed after the tie ended in a 3-3 draw, with Doi’s two goals at Hiroshima Athletic Stadium proving decisive as the holders advanced to last eight against a Hiroshima side that played the final 16 minutes with 10 men following goalkeeper Hirotsugu Nakabayashi’s sending off.

Kashima looked to be on track for a comfortable evening when Doi put them in front 12 minutes before the end of the first half but – inspired by second half substitute Patric – Hiroshi Jofuku’s side almost found a way through.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/sanfrecce-kashima_3-_acl_2019.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/sanfrecce-kashima_4-_acl_2019.html

We must take our chances, says Sugimoto

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

We must take our chances, says Sugimoto

Ulsan: Urawa Red Diamonds striker Kenyu Sugimoto admitted the joy of his first ever AFC Champions League goal in the Round of 16 first leg last week would mean nothing if the two-time champions fail to defeat Ulsan Hyundai in the return meeting on Wednesday.

Despite their dominance in the first leg meeting in Saitama, J.League side Urawa prepare to face Ulsan with a 2-1 deficit after Sugimoto's opener was cancelled out by goals from Joo Min-kyu and Hwang Il-su.

And, says the 26-year-old forward, the Japanese club simply cannot afford to again be so wasteful in front of goal at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium.

Round of 16 1st Leg: The Week In Numbers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Round of 16 1st Leg: The Week In Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Champions League returned with a bang last week as the first legs of the Round of 16 in the East Zone produced plenty of drama and excitement. 

All four games remain tight ahead of the decisive return meetings in the coming days, before which the-AFC.com looks back at some of the numbers that caught the eye as the knockout rounds got underway.

Round of 16 - 2nd Leg: 5 Things To Look Out For

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Round of 16 - 2nd Leg: 5 Things To Look Out For

Kuala Lumpur: The stakes are raised in this week's AFC Champions League as the identity of the four quarter-finalists from the East will be decided in the Round of 16 second leg matches on Tuesday and Wednesday.

All four of the last 16 ties are tantilisingly poised - either level or with a team holding a slim one goal advantage - and promise some rollercoaster action to come. The-AFC.com has picked out five things to look out for ahead of the games.

There's still all to play for, says Zhang Chi

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

There's still all to play for, says Zhang Chi

Jinan: Shandong Luneng's first leg goalscorer Zhang Chi believes their AFC Champions League Round of 16 with Guangzhou Evergrande is still far from over ahead of the return meeting at Jinan Olympic Stadium.

Wei Shihao's first-half strike and a late own-goal from Zheng Zheng at Tianhe Stadium sees Guangzhou 2-1 in front on aggregate in the lead-up to Tuesday's second leg, but Zhang's fine angled strike that reduced the deficit does give Shandong a vital edge and an extra dimension to the clash of countrymen.

And the midfielder is adamant that the tie is still tightly poised.

Round of 16, First Leg: What They Said

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Round of 16, First Leg: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Champions League Knockout Stage kicked off in the East this week with a series of action-packed first leg encounters in the Round of 16.

Thanks given, ambitious aims, and supporters praised all feature as the-AFC.com talks to those involved in the latest edition of the Continent's most presitigious competition.

ACL 2019 Allianz Goal of the Week: Moon Seon-min (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ACL 2019 Allianz Goal of the Week: Moon Seon-min (Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC)

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com has announced that Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC's Moon Seon-min is the winner of this week’s Goal of the Week presented by Allianz for the first leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16.