Preview - Round of 16: Al Ittihad (KSA) vs Zobahan FC (IRN)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - Round of 16: Al Ittihad (KSA) vs Zobahan FC (IRN)

Dubai: Al Wasl’s Zabeel Stadium plays host to the first West Asia fixture of the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16, but it is Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad who are the home team as they face Islamic Republic of Iran’s Zobahan on Monday.

The two sides are meeting for the third time in the competition. In the 2010 group stage, Al Ittihad surrendered a 2-0 half-time lead to settle for a 2-2 draw in Jeddah, while Zobahan walked away 1-0 winners at Foolad Shahr Stadium.

Round of 16 - West: 5 Things To Look Out For

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Round of 16 - West: 5 Things To Look Out For

Amman: The 2019 AFC Champions League returns to action in the West at the beginning of the week with four eagerly awaited Round of 16 ties taking place on Monday and Tuesday. 

A legend moving into the hot seat, a strong Saudi presence and plenty of new arrivals are among the talking points, so join the-AFC.com as we pick out five things to look out for.

Ones to Watch: West Asia 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ones to Watch: West Asia 

Amman: As eight West Asian teams battle for four spots in the 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-finals, they will be looking for their talismen to lead by example.

Ahead of West Asia's Round of 16 first leg encounters, the-AFC.com looks at eight players who could make the difference for their respective teams.

The Head Coaches: West Asia 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The Head Coaches: West Asia 

Amman: Ahead of West Asia's 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16, the-AFC.com takes a look at the head coaches of the eight sides in contention.

Youth is the name of the game in West Asia this year as six of the eight AFC Champions League Round of 16 sides are led by head coaches younger than 50. With four new appointments and four continuing from the group stage, we are set to see some mouthwatering tactical battles over the next two weeks.

The summer signings: West Asia 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The summer signings: West Asia 

Amman: Ahead of the 2019 AFC Champions League knockout stage, clubs across the Continent have been busy strengthening their squads and making managerial appointments.

As a hot summer across West Asia comes to an end, it has also been a heated season in the transfer market. The eight teams from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Islamic Republic of Iran and Qatar bolstered their ranks with exciting signings who hope to start with a bang as teams kick-off their season with the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 matches in August.

Al Ittihad ace Romarinho aiming to shine once again

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Ittihad ace Romarinho aiming to shine once again

Jeddah: Al Ittihad striker Romarinho has declared that he is looking to continue the fine form he displayed at the end of last season when the Saudi Arabian giants face Zobahan FC in the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16.

The livewire Brazilian joined Al Ittihad from Emirati outfit Al Jazira in 2018, having scored six times in that year’s edition of the AFC Champions League.

After initially struggling to find his feet with his new employers, Romarinho was soon grabbing headlines galore thanks to the seven goals he went on to bag in the Saudi Pro League and when he scored in each of Al Ittihad’s last three group stage games in the AFC Champions League.

Almoez Ali targets silverware galore with Al Duhail SC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Almoez Ali targets silverware galore with Al Duhail SC

Doha: With a new season in Qatar looming large, and knockout stage action in the AFC Champions League set to resume next week, Al Duhail SC star and AFC Asian Cup 2019 winner Almoez Ali has declared that both he and his teammates are fully focused on winning as much silverware as possible in the weeks and months to come.

Al Duhail are scheduled to meet rivals Al Sadd SC over two legs in the AFC Champions League Round of 16 on August 6 and 13, before facing the same opponents when their latest domestic campaign gets underway with the Qatari Super Cup on August 17.

Despite the hectic nature of football’s modern-day calendar, Ali has targetted nothing but success for the side which finished as runners-up to Al Sadd in last season’s Qatar Stars League standings, but exacted a degree of revenge by comprehensively claiming the Amir of Qatar Cup title.