Nabbout ecstatic to be back at 'biggest competition in Asia'

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nabbout ecstatic to be back at 'biggest competition in Asia'

Kashima: Melbourne Victory's match-winner Andrew Nabbout expressed his delight at returning to the AFC Champions League following the A-League side's 1-0 win over Kashima Antlers in the play-offs on Tuesday.

Having weathered a Kashima storm in the first half, Melbourne netted the tie's only goal on 54 minutes when Nabbout was on hand to fire home a deflected effort past Kwoun Sun-tae.

Custodian Lawrence Thomas then put on a goalkeeping clinic to deny the 2018 champions as the A-League side held out for a famous victory.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2020_-_play-offs_kashima_antlers_0-1_melbourne_victory .html

Play-off: Kashima Antlers (JPN) 0-1 Melbourne Victory (AUS)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Play-off: Kashima Antlers (JPN) 0-1 Melbourne Victory (AUS)

Ibaraki: Melbourne Victory ensured their place in the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage on Tuesday as a memorable 1-0 win over Kashima Antlers saw them progress from an enthralling play-off encounter.

Andrew Nabbout’s second-half goal and a stellar performance from goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas proved the difference as Melbourne joined China PR’s Beijing FC, Chiangrai United from Thailand and Korea Republic heavyweights FC Seoul in Group E of Asia’s premier club competition.

By way of contrast, the result signalled a premature end to Kashima’s latest Continental adventure, with the 2018 title winners left to rue what could have been at a rain-sodden Kashima Soccer Stadium.

Play-off: FC Seoul (KOR) 4-1 Kedah (MAS)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Play-off: FC Seoul (KOR) 4-1 Kedah (MAS)

FC Seoul brushed aside 10-man Kedah to book their place in the group phase of the 2020 AFC Champions League on Tuesday as Choi Yong-soo’s side handed the Malaysians a 4-1 defeat at Seoul World Cup Stadium.

The 2013 runners-up will go into Group E when the tournament begins next month, where they will face Chinese Super League side Beijing FC, Thai champions Chiangrai United and Melbourne Victory from Australia.

Play-off: FC Tokyo (JPN) 2-0 Ceres Negros FC (PHI)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Play-off: FC Tokyo (JPN) 2-0 Ceres Negros FC (PHI)

Tokyo: FC Tokyo overcame both Ceres Negros and a wet Tokyo Stadium pitch to qualify for the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage with a 2-0 win on Tuesday.

Second half goals from Sei Muroya and Adaílton Da Silva stamped Tokyo’s ticket to the tournament proper, in the process ending Ceres Negros’ bid to become the first club from the Philippines to reach the group stage.

Tokyo’s win means the 2019 J1 League runners-up will join Ulsan Hyundai, Shanghai Shenhua and Perth Glory in Group F, which begins on February 11.

Play-off: Shanghai SIPG FC (CHN) 3-0 Buriram United (THA)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Play-off: Shanghai SIPG FC (CHN) 3-0 Buriram United (THA)

Shanghai SIPG secured their place in the group phase of the 2020 AFC Champions League on Tuesday as late goals from Li Shenglong, Marko Arnautovic and Hulk earned the Chinese side a 3-0 play-off win over Buriram United at Shanghai Yuanshen Stadium.

Li broke Buriram’s stubborn resistance 15 minutes from time in a one-sided match-up in which the Thais defended doggedly before Arnautovic added a second in injury time and Hulk struck from the penalty spot.

Vitor Pereira’s side will now feature in Group H of the AFC Champions League, where they will meet Australia’s Sydney FC, J.League champions Yokohama F Marinos and two-time champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from Korea Republic.

Play-off: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) 0-5 Esteghlal FC (IRN)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Play-off: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) 0-5 Esteghlal FC (IRN)

Doha: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal FC cruised to a 5-0 victory over Qatar’s Al Rayyan at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday to book their place in the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage.

Esteghlal had arrived to the play-off stage on the back of a 3-0 win over Kuwait SC in the second preliminary round, while Al Rayyan were kicking-off their campaign at this stage on home soil after finishing fourth in the 2018-19 Qatar Stars League season.

Transfer watch: All of Asia's moves

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Transfer watch: All of Asia's moves

Kuala Lumpur: With the transfer window open, teams are either bolstering their ranks ahead of new seasons kicking off or are adding reinforcements to their squads. 

The-AFC.com highlights the ins and outs across the Continent.