Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3 v 1 Sepahan FC (IRN)

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3 v 1 Sepahan FC (IRN)

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC will not take Sepahan FC lightly in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 return leg at the Kingdom Arena on Thursday.

Sepahan squandered a first half lead in the first leg, with four-time Asian champions Al Hilal eventually emerging 3-1 winners, courtesy of late goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Abdullah Al Hamddan after Malcom had cancelled out Ramin Rezaeian’s opener.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_r16_|_west_zone_|_sepahan_sc_irn_1_-_3_al_hilal_sfc_ksa.html

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Ittihad FC (KSA) 0 v 0 Navbahor (UZB)

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Ittihad FC (KSA) 0 v 0 Navbahor (UZB)

Jeddah: Al Ittihad FC will be determined to navigate past Navbahor in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 second leg match on Thursday as the two-time winners aim to reach their first quarter-finals since 2014.

The return leg is finely poised after the first leg ended in a goalless stalemate but reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad will be counting on their record of not having lost to clubs from Uzbekistan in six previous meetings at home to advance at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Petrescu applauds Jeonbuk’s willpower

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Petrescu applauds Jeonbuk’s willpower

Pohang: Head coach Dan Petrescu praised Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for showing composure in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 second leg draw with fellow K League 1 side Pohang Steelers on Tuesday.

Jeonbuk came from behind to force the 1-1 draw, with the result taking the two-time AFC Champions League winners through to the quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate.
 
Jeonbuk didn't enjoy the brightest of starts at the Pohang Steel Yard, conceding an early goal to Park Chan-yong in the 12th minute, with Pohang then coming at them with a vengeance.  However, Jeong Tae-wook’s late headed goal meant Petrescu's advanced to the last eight, where they will face either compatriots Ulsan Hyundai or Japan’s Ventforet Kofu.

Choi sets high target for Shandong after ousting Frontale

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Choi sets high target for Shandong after ousting Frontale

Kawasaki: Head coach Choi Kang-hee is hopeful that Shandong Taishan’s stunning AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 win against Kawasaki Frontale can act as a springboard for the Chinese Super League side to go the distance.

Shandong erased a 3-2 first leg defeat with a spectacular 4-2 victory at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium on Tuesday to advance to the quarter-final stage for the third time with the Korean tactician saying he wants his team to aim higher, having never featured in the semi-finals of the continental showpiece. 

Jeonbuk hold off Pohang to book last eight spot

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Jeonbuk hold off Pohang to book last eight spot

Pohang: Jeong Tae-wook’s late header confirmed Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ progress to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday as Dan Petrescu’s side drew 1-1 with Pohang Steelers to complete a 3-1 aggregate win over their fellow K League 1 outfit.

Jeong’s 76th minute goal cancelled out Park Chan-yong’s opener from the 12th minute for Pohang as two-time champions Jeonbuk banished any concerns they would throw away their hard-earned 2-0 first leg advantage.

Petrescu and his team will next face either compatriots Ulsan Hyundai or Japan’s Ventforet Kofu in the last eight, with Hong Myung-bo’s K League 1 champions holding a 3-0 first leg advantage going into Wednesday’s second leg.

Jadson strikes late winner as Shandong stun Frontale in thriller

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Jadson strikes late winner as Shandong stun Frontale in thriller

Kawasaki: Brazilian centre-back Jadson scored a last-gasp winner as Shandong Taishan advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 with a 4-2 win against Kawasaki Frontale in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

After losing 3-2 at home last week, Shandong made a dream start to the away leg as goals from Cryzan and Gao Zhunyi had them lead the tie 4-3 on aggregate within 25 minutes at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium. But strikes from Sota Miura and Erison then gave Kawasaki the upper hand before Cryzan’s second in the 73rd minute put the last 16 tie firmly in the balance.  

However, it was Shandong who had the final say as Jadson came up with a big moment, flicking in a corner in the seventh minute of second-half injury time to knock Kawasaki out of the continental competition following a 6-5 aggregate win.

Al Ahed edge Al Kahrabaa on penalties to advance

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Al Ahed edge Al Kahrabaa on penalties to advance

Basra: Al Ahed beat Al Kahrabaa 4-2 on penalties after the two sides played out a 1-1 aggregate draw in their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zonal semi-final, following Al Ahed’s 1-0 win in the second leg at the Basra International Stadium on Tuesday.

The win takes 2019 AFC Cup winners Al Ahed of Lebanon into a West Zonal final against Al Nahda of Oman in April.

Japan surge into knockout stage, Oman bid farewell

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Japan surge into knockout stage, Oman bid farewell

Dubai: Japan fought back twice from two goals down to defeat Senegal 6-4 in an exciting Group C tie to book their spot in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 Dubai quarter-finals on Tuesday.

Oman, however, bid farewell to the tournament after suffering a late 3-2 defeat to Portugal in their concluding Group D tie. 

Nepal, Palestine impress in openers

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Nepal, Palestine impress in openers

Jeddah: Nepal and Palestine set the early pace in Group B of the West Asian Football Federation Women's Championship 2024 with resounding wins on Tuesday.

Nepal defeated Syria 4-1 while Palestine cruised 3-0 past Iraq.