Olaroiu hails penalty hero Al Hosani as Sharjah edge out Al Zawraa

Thu, 17 Mar, 2022

Olaroiu hails penalty hero Al Hosani as Sharjah edge out Al Zawraa

Sharjah: Sharjah FC head coach Cosmin Olaroiu hailed goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani after his side emerged 6-5 winners on penalties against Iraq’s Al Zawraa SC after the two sides played out a 1-1 draw over 120 minutes, the Emirati side booking their place in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Tuesday.

Al Hosani produced the winning save in a dramatic game at Sharjah Stadium, where his opposite number Jalal Hassan saved a Caio penalty in the first half before being sent off for a second bookable offence in the 120th minute.

Left without a proper goalkeeper for the shootout, defender Abbas Qassim and midfielder Saad Abdulameer shared the duties between the sticks but were unable to muster any saves as the Emirati side advanced to the group stage for the third time in a row.

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Group Stage cast finalised for AFC Champions League™ 2022

Thu, 17 Mar, 2022

Group Stage cast finalised for AFC Champions League™ 2022

Kuala Lumpur: The stage is set for the AFC Champions League™ 2022 following the conclusion of the playoffs on Tuesday.

Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai and Daegu FC were joined by 2020 semi-finalists Vissel Kobe of Japan from the East Playoffs after an evening of pulsating football.

Saudi Arabia's Al Taawoun, Sharjah from UAE and Uzbekistan's FC Nasaf advanced from the West Playoffs, which were equally exciting affairs.

Vissel Kobe were the better side, says Melbourne Victory's Popovic

Thu, 17 Mar, 2022

Vissel Kobe were the better side, says Melbourne Victory's Popovic

Kobe: Melbourne Victory head coach Tony Popovic conceded Vissel Kobe’s quality was the difference between the teams as the J-League side edged the Australians in a thrilling playoff on Tuesday to book their place in the Group Stage of the AFC Champions League™ 2022.

Brazilian striker Lincoln came off the bench to earn Kobe a 4-3 win in extra-time, the substitute netting five minutes into the first period from close range to finally end Melbourne’s resistance.

Yoshida back for Japan's crunch tie against Australia

Wed, 16 Mar, 2022

Yoshida back for Japan's crunch tie against Australia

Tokyo: Maya Yoshida will return to lead Japan in their upcoming clashes in Group B of the AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ against Australia and Vietnam as the Samurai Blue look to book their berth at November’s FIFA World Cup.

Yoshida missed the wins over China PR and Saudi Arabia in January due to injury but the Sampdoria central defender returns for this month’s games, when the Japanese can complete qualification for a seventh consecutive FIFA World Cup.

Syria braced for Lebanon, Iraq tests

Wed, 16 Mar, 2022

Syria braced for Lebanon, Iraq tests

Damascus: Head coach Ghassan Maatouk have named a 31-man squad for Syria's final two AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ Group A matches against Lebanon and Iraq.

Syria's hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup Finals for the first time ever officially ended last month following their 2-0 defeat to Paulo Bento's Korea Republic.