Petrescu: Jeonbuk paid a heavy price for one mistake

Wed, 06 Mar, 2024

Petrescu: Jeonbuk paid a heavy price for one mistake

Jeonju: Head coach Dan Petrescu was left to regret his side’s squandered chances after a single mistake enabled Ulsan Hyundai FC to come back to hold Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.

The Romanian felt his side should have taken a lead into next week's return leg but Jeonbuk’s inability to convert their chances and one  defensive lapse cost them dearly.

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Ulsan fight back to hold Jeonbuk

Wed, 06 Mar, 2024

Ulsan fight back to hold Jeonbuk

Jeonju: Lee Myung-jae struck 13 minutes from time to ensure Ulsan Hyundai’s AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final with fellow K-League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors remains in the balance after the pair shared a 1-1 draw at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on Tuesday.

Lee’s goal cancelled out Song Min-kyu’s fourth minute opener for Dan Petrescu’s team, who also saw Brazilian striker Tiago Orobo miss a 25th minute penalty in a tense first leg encounter.

The two teams will meet again in Ulsan next Wednesday with the winners meeting either Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos or Shandong Taishan from China in the semi-finals next month.

Al Hilal take firm control

Wed, 06 Mar, 2024

Al Hilal take firm control

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC secured a vital 2-0 victory over ten-man Al Ittihad in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final at Kingdom Arena on Tuesday.

The two teams had played each other in the same stage in 2019 with Al Hilal passing through to the semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate scoreline, going on to win the title on that occasion.
 
Four days after a 3-1 victory over their domestic rivals in the Saudi Pro League on the same ground, Al Hilal were again in imperious form, with Aleksandar Mitrovic returning to the fold, having been suspended for the league encounter.

Crespo urges Al Ain to stay focused; Al Nassr's Castro not giving up

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Crespo urges Al Ain to stay focused; Al Nassr's Castro not giving up

Al Ain: Hernan Crespo has reminded his players that the job is only half done after Al Ain defeated Al Nassr 1-0 in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final first leg tie on Monday. 

Soufiane Rahimi’s 44th minute strike separated the sides at the end of 90 minutes but Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr had their fair share of chances and Crespo knows the return leg will be a tough challenge for his side. 

Preview - QF: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Wed, 06 Mar, 2024

Preview - QF: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Ji'nan: Shandong Taishan will aim to slay another Japanese giant when they host Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final on Wednesday.

The China PR club have held their own on the continental stage this season and will be confident of their chances against Japan's F. Marinos. 

Inter-Zone SF - Preview: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ) v Taichung Futuro FC (TPE)

Wed, 06 Mar, 2024

Inter-Zone SF - Preview: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant (KGZ) v Taichung Futuro FC (TPE)

Bishkek: FK Abdysh-Ata Kant will not make the mistake of understimating Taichung Futuro FC when the two sides meet in the first leg of their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-final on Wednesday.

Kyrgyz Republic's Abdysh-Ata were in phenomenal form in the group stage, winning all their home matches but head coach Islam Akhmedov said he will warn his players against complacency when facing their opponents from Chinese Taipei. 

Fall: Odisha will always fight and give our best for the nation

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Fall: Odisha will always fight and give our best for the nation

Bhubaneswar: It was Mourtada Fall’s header which helped Odisha FC win their final group stage match to become the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 South Zone champions.

The Indian Super League (ISL) side knew that only a victory would help them overtake their opponents Bashundhara Kings to top spot in Group D and Fall, a rock at the back for his side, this time delivered at the other end of the pitch.

Nisbet optimistic Mariners can go all the way

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Nisbet optimistic Mariners can go all the way

Gosford: The heartbeat of the Central Coast Mariners side, Joshua Nisbet has been crucial for his team this season as they continue to march forward in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24.

The 24-year-old has caught the eye by pulling the strings in midfield for the Mariners as they recently became the winners of the ASEAN Zone after defeating Australian rivals Macarthur FC 3-2 and are now set to take on India's Odisha FC in the Inter-Zone semi-finals.