Sierra optimistic despite Al Ittihad exit

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Sierra optimistic despite Al Ittihad exit

Riyadh: Al Ittihad coach José Luis Sierra is optimistic that the Saudi Arabian side will end the season with a title despite Tuesday’s exit from the quarter-finals of the 2019 AFC Champions League at the hands of domestic rivals Al Hilal.

Sierra saw his side take the lead at King Saud University Stadium through Ziyad Al Sahafi before eventually failing to hold on as Al Hilal stormed to a 3-1 win.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/quarter-final_-_2nd_leg_al_hilal_sfc_vs_al_ittihad.html

Quarter-final - 2nd Leg: Al Hilal storm into semis

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Quarter-final - 2nd Leg: Al Hilal storm into semis

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal booked their place in the 2019 AFC Champions League semi-finals with a 3-1 win over archrivals Al Ittihad in the second leg of the quarter-final at the King Saud University Stadium on Tuesday.

Having cancelled each other in a goalless draw in Jeddah three weeks ago, the onus was on Al Hilal to end their visitors’ seven-match unbeaten run in the 2019 AFC Champions League if they were to advance to the semi-finals.

Xavi: We had an unbelievable match

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Xavi: We had an unbelievable match

Doha: Head coach Xavi Hernandez hailed what he described was one of Al Sadd's best matches of the year after the Qatar champions advanced to the 2019 AFC Champions League semi-finals on Monday. 

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Riyadh last month, Xavi said Al Sadd produced the great performance required as the Doha-based club defeated Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr 3-1 at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium to advance to their second successive AFC Champions League semi-finals.

Quarter-final - 2nd Leg: Bounedjah takes Al Sadd through

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Quarter-final - 2nd Leg: Bounedjah takes Al Sadd through

Doha: Al Sadd reached the AFC Champions League semi-finals for the second year in a row after defeating Al Nassr 3-1 at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in the second leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-finals to secure a 4-3 aggregate victory.

Having won each of their four home games in the competition so far, Xavi’s Al Sadd needed to extend the run if they were to secure a last-four place, having lost 2-1 in Riyadh.

Injuries, suspension cost SIPG, says Pereira

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Injuries, suspension cost SIPG, says Pereira

Saitama: Vitor Pereira was left lamenting the impact of injuries and suspension on his team as Shanghai SIPG crashed out of the quarter-finals of the 2019 AFC Champions League on Tuesday after suffering an away goals defeat at the hands of two-time champions Urawa Red Diamonds.

Urawa advanced after the two-legged meeting between the teams ended in a 3-3 draw, meaning the Japanese side progressed by virtue of the away goals rule as SIPG fell short once again in the continental championship.

Quarter-final - 2nd Leg: Urawa advance on away goals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Quarter-final - 2nd Leg: Urawa advance on away goals

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds kept their quest for a record third AFC Champions League title alive on Tuesday as Tsuyoshi Otsuki’s side progressed to the semi-finals of this year’s competition after a 1-1 draw with Shanghai SIPG secured the club’s progress to the next round on the away goals rule.

The result meant the quarter-final tie ended in a 3-3 aggregate draw and, with Urawa scoring twice in Shanghai in the first leg last month, the 2007 and 2017 champions advanced to the next round, where they will face either Kashima Antlers or Guangzhou Evergrande.

Preview - QF 2nd Leg: Kashima Antlers (0) vs (0) Guangzhou Evergrande FC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - QF 2nd Leg: Kashima Antlers (0) vs (0) Guangzhou Evergrande FC

Kashima: The 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-final between holders Kashima Antlers and two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande remains firmly in the balance as the sides prepare to lock horns for the second leg at Kashima Soccer Stadium on Wednesday. 

There was nothing between the teams in the first leg in China three weeks ago with defences coming out on top in a scoreless draw that sets up a potentially nervy return meeting in Japan. 

Kashima have won their past six knockout round games in front of home support, while Guangzhou have never been eliminated by Japanese opposition and overcame Wednesday’s hosts in the 2017 Round of 16.