Playing in AFC Champions League important for Australian football, says Melbourne Victory’s cup hero

Mon, 28 Feb, 2022

Playing in AFC Champions League important for Australian football, says Melbourne Victory’s cup hero

Melbourne: A 2020 AFC Champions League winner with Ulsan Hyundai, Australia international Jason Davidson is intent on a return to the continental stage ahead of Melbourne Victory’s 2022 AFC Champions League playoff tie with Japan’s Vissel Kobe on March 15.

Having played a key role in Victory’s FFA Cup triumph at the beginning of February, which qualified Tony Popovic’s side for this year’s playoffs, the 30-year-old Davidson is adamant that a place in the group stage of Asia’s premium club competition is crucial.

AFC Executive Committee unveils dynamic enhancements to the AFC Club Competitions

Fri, 25 Feb, 2022

AFC Executive Committee unveils dynamic enhancements to the AFC Club Competitions

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Executive Committee has approved several key strategic recommendations by the AFC Competitions Committee, signalling a new era of growth and success for the AFC Club Competitions.

Both the AFC Champions League™ and the AFC Cup™ have grown exponentially in the last decade, underpinning the AFC’s Vision and Mission to produce world-class and commercially engaging competitions for its Member Associations (MAs) and passionate fans of the largest stadium in world football, and the latest decisions represent some of the most ground-breaking enhancements to be introduced in Asian club football history.

Jeonbuk experience drives Buriram’s Sasalak to greater heights

Sun, 27 Feb, 2022

Jeonbuk experience drives Buriram’s Sasalak to greater heights

Buriram: Silverware and an ambition to play at a higher level are the motivation for Sasalak Haiprakhon in the coming months as he chases titles with Buriram United in Thailand and a place in the 2022 AFC Champions League group stage on the continent.  

While a six-month loan spell at K League 1 giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors may not have gone to plan for Sasalak, he remains full of optimism now back at Buriram, where the domestic treble is among the more immediate targets.

West Asia Wrap: Al Sadd celebrate title; Al Ittihad, Al Ain, Al Shorta continue march

Mon, 28 Feb, 2022

West Asia Wrap: Al Sadd celebrate title; Al Ittihad, Al Ain, Al Shorta continue march

Dubai: They were denied victory but nothing could stop the Al Sadd SC party as they celebrated lifting the Qatar Stars League title for a record-extending 16th time on Friday.

The pacesetters in Iraq, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, meanwhile, maintained their sparkling form.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the latest round of domestic action across West Asia. 

New boss, same winning feeling as Pakhtakor lift Uzbekistan Super Cup

Sun, 27 Feb, 2022

New boss, same winning feeling as Pakhtakor lift Uzbekistan Super Cup

Yaypan: FC Pakhtakor made a winning start to life under new boss Slavče Vojneski, retaining the Uzbekistan Super Cup with a 1-0 win against FC Nasaf in their first competitive match under the North Macedonian coach on Sunday.

While new beginnings were the theme of the afternoon, the winning goal came in the most familiar manner possible, with Dragan Ćeran’s 61st-minute header enough for the league winners to avenge December’s Uzbekistan Cup Final defeat to the same opponents. 

The result gives Pakhtakor a winning start to their 2022 fixture list, with the Uzbekistan Super League holders to begin their title defence away to Dinamo Samarkand on Thursday.

Leonardo joins Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai

Fri, 25 Feb, 2022

Leonardo joins Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai

Ulsan: Two-time AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai FC have announced the signing of former Urawa Red Diamonds striker Leonardo as a replacement for the departing Oh Se-hun.

The 24-year-old Brazilian has joined the 2012 and 2020 Asian champions on loan for the season from last year’s Chinese Super League winners Shandong Taishan.