Matchday Two: East Zone Preview

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday Two: East Zone Preview

Kuala Lumpur: The second round of 2019 AFC Champions League group stage fixtures comes hot on the heels of the opening set of games, with the 16 teams in the East Zone to take to the field once more in the coming week. 

The eight sides in Groups E and F will get things underway when they return to action on Tuesday, before the remaining eight teams in Groups G and H follow suit a day later.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/gyeongnam_v_shandong.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/guangzhou_v_sanfrecce.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/jeonbuk_v_beijing.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/shanghai_v_kawasaki_2.html

ACL 2019 Allianz Goal of the Week: Islom Tukhtakhujaev (PFC Lokomotiv)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ACL 2019 Allianz Goal of the Week: Islom Tukhtakhujaev (PFC Lokomotiv)

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com has announced that PFC Lokomotiv's Islom Tukhtakhujaev is the winner of this week’s Goal of the Week presented by Allianz for Matchday One of the 2019 AFC Champions League. 

Matchday One: What They Said

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Matchday One: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The 2019 AFC Champions League got off to a flying start last week, with drama and excitement across Asia in the opening round of fixtures. 

The next round of matches kick off on Monday but, before that, the-AFC.com looks back at what some of those involved had to say after their Matchday One encounters. Click on the links to read the full articles.

Analysis: Evergreen Lee remains a force for Jeonbuk

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Evergreen Lee remains a force for Jeonbuk

Jeonju: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors opened their 2019 AFC Champions League campaign with a well-deserved 3-1 victory over Beijing FC in Group G on Wednesday.

The sides were tied 1-1 at half-time after an even first 45 minutes but the hosts stepped up a gear in the second half to earn the three points.

Makino advice paid dividends, reveals Hashioka 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Makino advice paid dividends, reveals Hashioka 

Saitama: Daiki Hashioka has heaped praise on teammate Tomoaki Makino after 2017 AFC Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds put in a spirited second-half display to defeat Thailand’s Buriram United 3-0 in Group G on Wednesday. 

The hosts struggled to break down a stubborn Buriram backline in the first half, before Makino opened the scoring five minutes after the interval and Hashioka – making his first ever appearance in the competition – added two late goals to finally see off the Buriram challenge.

The result marked a winning return to the AFC Champions League for Oswaldo de Oliveira’s side, whose last appearance was the second leg of the 2017 final when they defeated Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal 2-1 on aggregate to become two-time winners.

Analysis: JDT impress despite defeat on tournament debut

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: JDT impress despite defeat on tournament debut

Ibaraki: Kashima Antlers made a winning start to their defence of the AFC Champions League title as they beat Johor Darul Ta’zim 2-1 in their Group E clash on Tuesday.

But the Japanese side were given a stern test by the Malaysian champions, who were making their debut in the group stage of the tournament.

Two-goal Pelle rues missed opportunities 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Two-goal Pelle rues missed opportunities 

Changwon: Italian striker Graziano Pelle has bemoaned Shandong Luneng’s missed chances after their entertaining 2-2 draw with Korea Republic’s Gyeongnam FC in their opening 2019 AFC Champions League Group E fixture at Changwon Football Center on Tuesday.

The former Southampton striker, making his first appearance in the competition since the 2016 quarter-finals, was the hero for his side as goals in either half earned a valuable point on the road for the Chinese Super League team.

But having taken a first-half lead, Pelle was disappointed Shandong couldn’t stay in the ascendancy and come away with all three points, especially after they spurned a number of late chances.