Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Suwon: Suwon Samsung Bluewings stand on the verge of a place in the 2018 AFC Champions League semi-finals with the two-time continental champions heading into the second leg of the quarter-finals against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Wednesday holding a 3-0 lead from the first leg.
An initially tight first leg remained scoreless until the final 15 minutes, when Montenegrin striker Dejan Damjanovic netted twice before Han Eui-kwon also got on the scoresheet to leave the 2006 and 2016 AFC Champions League winners staring elimination in the face.
Jeonbuk now need to score at least three at Suwon World Cup Stadium to have any chance of remaining in the competition, while the hosts will know a goal would all but kill the tie off as they look to secure their second appearance in the semi-finals.
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https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/jeonbuk_stats.html

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/suwon_v_jeonbuk_h2h.html

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Suwon: Star midfielder Yeom Ki-hun has warned his Suwon Samsung Bluewings teammates that Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are capable of an unlikely comeback ahead of Wednesday's AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg tie.
An impressive 3-0 win in the first leg might have some penciling Suwon's name into the semi-finals, but you write off two-time AFC Champions League winners Jeonbuk at your peril.
And it's a mistake that Yeom is adamant his side will not be making at Suwon World Cup Stadium.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tianjin: Goalkeeper and captain Zhang Lu is adamant that Tianjian Quanjian can overcome a 2-0 deficit and advance to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League ahead of Tuesday's quarter-final second leg clash with Kashima Antlers.
The custodian does not have to look far for inspiration, either.
Only last year, ties involving clubs from China and Japan in the AFC Champions League saw a series of extraordinary come-from-behind matches.
Urawa Red Diamonds overcame a 3-1 first leg defeat to win 5-4 on aggregate over Kawasaki Frontale, while Guangzhou Evergrande turned around a 4-0 first leg deficit only to lose on penalties.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kuala Lumpur: Winning a first leg does not always mean a straight route to the next round, and the AFC Champions League quarter-finals have seen some memorable comebacks over the years.
The first leg of the 2018 AFC Champions League quarter-finals produced two wins for the home sides and as many for visitors. But the competition's history shows the four winners there can be no room for complacency following a first leg victory.
The quarter-finals were introduced in the AFC Champions League back in 2004, and since then we have witnessed some iconic returns after disappointing first leg ties, the-AFC.com recalls three extraordinary comebacks ahead of the second legs.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Tehran: Persepolis reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals for the second year in a row after coming from a goal behind to earn a 3-1 win over Al Duhail at the Azadi Stadium on Monday, sealing a 3-2 aggregate win for the Islamic Republic of Iran side.
Al Duhail took the lead in the 33rd minute after Persepolis defender Shojae Khalilzadeh’s attempted clearance of Murad Naji’s free-kick bounced off Karim Boudiaf and into the back of the net to give the Qataris a crucial away goal.
Bashar Resan nearly equalised for the hosts in the 56th minute after snatching the ball from the Al Duhail defenders and advancing on goal, but his effort from the edge of the box was tipped behind by goalkeeper Amine Lecomte.
The resulting corner kick brought Persepolis their first goal of the quarter-finals after the cross skimmed the heads of strikers Godwin Mensha and Ali Alipour before ending up at the feet of skipper Seyed Jalal Hossein, who converted on the half-volley to bring his side back from the dead in the 57th minute.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Doha: Al Sadd booked their spot in the semi-finals of the 2018 AFC Champions League after a 2-2 draw in the second leg of their quarter-final clash with Esteghlal gave them a 5-3 aggregate win.
The game's first shot on target arrived in the 15th minute, when Esteghlal midfielder Mehdi Ghayedi's effort was kept out by Al Sadd goalkeeper Meshaal Aissa.
The hosts took time to settle into the game but showed just how dangerous they can be as the first half went on. Hassan Al Haydos fashioned a goalscoring opportunity out of nothing in the 26th minute, topping off a great run with a stinging shot, forcing a save out of Mehdi Rahmati.
Just a minute later, Al Sadd broke the deadlock through Akram Afif. The youngster picked up Baghdad Bounedjah's lay-off in the box before lashing in an unstoppable shot past Rahmati to give his side a 4-1 aggregate lead.
Esteghlal's reply arrived in the 32nd minute when they equalised with the help of some good fortune. Rouhollah Bagheri's strike was fumbled by Aissa and the ball fell into the net, levelling the score on the night.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Kashima: Japanese star Atsuto Uchida is determined to make up for past regrets and help Kashima Antlers go all the way in the 2018 AFC Champions League ahead of next week's quarter-final second leg clash with Tianjin Quanjian.
Now a veteran with over 70 international caps and seven and a half years in Germany, Uchida was just 20-year-old when Kashima Antlers reached the AFC Champions League quarter-finals for their first and, until this year, only time.
That last eight encounter, against Australia's Adelaide United, ended in a disappointing 2-1 aggregate elimination for the J.League club, but now, a decade later, Uchida and Kashima have the chance to go at least one better.