No excuses for heavy defeat, says Al Ain’s Emanuel

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

No excuses for heavy defeat, says Al Ain’s Emanuel

Al Ain: Al Ain FC head coach Pedro Emanuel had no excuses for the UAE side’s heavy defeat in their 2020 AFC Champions League Group D opener to Islamic Republic of Iran’s Sepahan FC on Tuesday.

The Portuguese saw his side go into the break 1-0 down through Mohammad Mohebbi’s header at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium before a second half blitz saw Brazilian Kiros, Soroush Rafiei and Mohammad Tayebi seal a big win for Sepahan.

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Group D - MD1: Al Ain FC (UAE) 0-4 Sepahan FC (IRN)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group D - MD1: Al Ain FC (UAE) 0-4 Sepahan FC (IRN)

Al Ain: Sepahan FC of Islamic Republic of Iran began their 2020 AFC Champions League campaign in style after defeating UAE’s AL Ain 4-0 in Group D at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.

Sepahan took a half-time lead courtesy of Mohammad Mohebbi’s header, while goals from Brazilian Kiros, Soroush Rafiei and Mohammad Tayebi sealed an emphatic victory.

Group D - MD1: Al Nassr (KSA) 2-2 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group D - MD1: Al Nassr (KSA) 2-2 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Riyadh: A highly entertaining clash at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium saw Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr and Qatar’s Al Sadd SC play out a 2-2 draw in their opening 2020 AFC Champions League Group D match on Tuesday.

The two teams had in the quarter-finals of the previous edition, with the first leg ending in a 2-1 home victory for Al Nassr.

Regragui hails Al Duhail players after "important" win over Persepolis

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Regragui hails Al Duhail players after "important" win over Persepolis

Doha: Al Duhail SC head coach Walid Regragui described his side’s 2-0 win against Persepolis FC in their 2020 AFC Champions League Group C tie on Tuesday as an important victory.

Mario Mandzukic and Edmilson found the net within the first 13 minutes at Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium as Qatar's Al Duhail got off to a roaring start.

Jimenez: Luck was not on Al Wahda’s side

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Jimenez: Luck was not on Al Wahda’s side

Abu Dhabi: Manuel Jimenez was left to rue Al Wahda FSCC’s lack of luck as the UAE Pro League side settled for a draw in their opening 2020 AFC Champions League Group A match on Monday. 

Al Ahli Saudi FC took the lead through Abdulfattah Asiri at the hour mark but Korea Republic’s Rim Chang-woo’s last-minute equaliser rescued a point for Al Wahda at Al Nahyan Stadium.

Draw with Esteghlal a boost for Al Shorta, says head coach Ilic

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Draw with Esteghlal a boost for Al Shorta, says head coach Ilic

Erbil: Al Shorta head coach Aleksandar Ilic was satisfied despite having to settle for a share of the points with Esteghlal FC in their 2020 AFC Champions League Group A tie on Monday.

Hussam Kadhim put the ball into his own net in the first half to give Islamic Republic of Iran's Esteghlal the lead at Franso Hariri Stadium but Ali Fayez salvaged a point for the home team from the penalty spot three minutes into the second half.

Toivonen: Melbourne Victory had to overcome nerves

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Toivonen: Melbourne Victory had to overcome nerves

Melbourne: Ola Toivonen has admitted that Melbourne Victory had to survive a tense second half to claim a hard-fought 1-0 win over Thailand’s Chiangrai United in their opening 2020 AFC Champions League Group E match on Tuesday. 

Swedish forward Toivanen’s penalty midway through the first half proved the difference at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium as the Australian side moved to the top of the standings, with both Beijing FC and FC Seoul not in action.

But, while the hosts were the better side, their last win in the competition came back in April 2018 and they picked up just one point in six games in a disastrous 2019 campaign, something their skipper alluded to.