Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: There were new names, old heroes and no shortage of ups and downs as the Iran Pro League season reached its halfway point at the turn of the year, the-AFC.com looks back at the first half of the competition.
Persepolis cruising
Following a triumphant 2016/17 season in which they won their first league title in nine years, Persepolis were firm favourites coming into this season. Halfway through the season, the Red Army are living up to the expectations. They currently lead the table by an 11-point margin, having suffered just the one defeat at the hands of Paykan back in September. Branko Ivankovic’s men boast the best defensive record and the best goal-scoring record as they look to win their first back-to-back league titles since 2000.
Foolad Khuzestan and newly promoted Pars Jonoubi Jam are on the chase hoping for a major slip up by the league leaders, but the Tehran giants look composed at the top of the table and seem confident to keep their distance as they aim to make an impact in the 2018 AFC Champions League after reaching the semi finals last year.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The second half of the Saudi Pro League is underway following the mid-season break. The-AFC.com looks back at how the first 13 matchweeks panned out.
Dominant Al Hilal
Reigning champions Al Hilal romped to the top of the league table with dominant displays, going unbeaten for the entirety of the first half of the season. Testament to their strength is the fact Al Hilal spent eight matchweeks of the first 13 in the top spot.
The 2017 AFC Champions League finalists went into the mid-season break four points clear of runners-up Al Ahli. Al Nassr came third while the dark horses of the season so far were Al Faisaly, who continue to push their limits, dislodging Al Ittihad off fourth place to break Saudi Arabia’s traditional top four.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After a five-week break, the Qatar Stars League’s wheels resume turning for the second phase this week. The-AFC.com looks back at the major stories and talking points from Qatar's top division in a mid-season review.
New era, old habits
Last summer, the QSL witnessed an overhaul when five-time champions Lekhwiya merged with El Jaish to form a new club; Al Duhail. The new entity heavily resembled the former and as the season began, it was clear that their winning ways would remain the same even in a new era.
At the end of the first half of the competition, Al Duhail led the standings without losing a game. Djamel Belmadi's men have been in imperious form during the first half of the season, scoring 40 goals in their 11 games and racking up 29 points out of a possible 33.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With a spot at the FIFA World Cup 2018 Russia and as many as three places in the 2019 AFC Champions League at stake, the 2017-18 UAE Pro League has been full of thrilling action. The-AFC.com looks back at how the competition panned out at the midway point.
Fine Margins at the Top
Following a strong start to the season by Al Wahda, under 2014 AFC Champions League finalist coach Laurentiu Reghecampf, it was Al Ain and Al Wasl who went neck and neck for the remainder of the first half of the season, trading places at the top two spots.
Ultimately, with 11 matchweeks of the season completed, there was very little to separate the two, as both the Cheetahs and the Boss remained unbeaten, boasting an identical record of seven wins and four draws to reach the midway point of the league season with 25 points each.
The title contenders had started the season with 2-2 draw at Al Ain’s Khalifa bin Zayed Stadium, meaning it’s Al Wasl who were crowned ‘Winter Champions’ courtesy of their two away goals.
Going Under