Special bond with Al Hilal players makes us harder to beat, says Diaz

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Special bond with Al Hilal players makes us harder to beat, says Diaz

Riyadh: Al Hilal head coach Ramon Diaz believes the mutual bond with his players is key to success following their 1-0 win over Tajikistan’s Istiklol in their AFC Champions League™ 2022  Group A tie on Friday. 

Following a goalless first half at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Al Hilal broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute courtesy of skipper Salman Al Faraj’s volley to seal the victory for the defending champions.

The result leaves Al Hilal with nine points, five ahead of Qatar’s Al Rayyan and Sharjah of UAE, while Istiklol remain without a point.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2022_-_group_a_|_al_hilal_sfc_ksa__1-_0_fc_istiklol_tjk.html

Lion City Sailors will close the gap, says coach Kim

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Lion City Sailors will close the gap, says coach Kim

Buriram: Singapore’s Lion City Sailors FC kicked off their maiden AFC Champions League™ campaign with a 4-1 defeat to Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan, but head coach Kim Do-hoon has promised to ‘reduce the gap’ in their upcoming Group F matches. 

The J League side cruised to an opening day win with four different players etching their names on the scoresheet, and were denied a clean sheet by David Moberg’s first half on goal. 

Last gasp defeat tough to take, says United City’s Withe

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Last gasp defeat tough to take, says United City’s Withe

Pathum Thani: United City FC boss Jason Withe revealed his disappointment after a last gasp Jeonnam Dragons winner denied his side a draw in their opening AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group G clash at Pathum Thani Stadium on Friday.

The Filipino side kept the Korean FA Cup winners to few clear-cut chances during a strong first half performance, but Jeonnam took control after the interval, edging closer and closer to a breakthrough before Leonard Pllana’s 87th-minute strike secured a 1-0 win.

Mora rallies Johor Darul Ta’zim to build on historic victory

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Mora rallies Johor Darul Ta’zim to build on historic victory

Johor Bahru: Prior to Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT)’s 5-0 masterclass against Guangzhou FC in Friday’s Group I opener, the Southern Tigers had managed just three victories since their debut in the AFC Champions League™ in 2019, with the single-goal margin the common denominator across all three triumphs.

Not only was Friday’s commanding spectacle JDT’s best-ever start to the AFC Champions League™, but it was also their biggest winning margin on Asia’s pinnacle club stage and head coach Benjamin Mora is confident his charges will carry the momentum as they seek to navigate past the group stage for the first time. 

Daegu’s Gama hails team for massive win

Sat, 16 Apr, 2022

Daegu’s Gama hails team for massive win

Buriram: Daegu FC head coach Alexandre Gama praised his team for executing their plans perfectly to pick up their first win in Group F of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Friday. 

The K League outfit scored seven unanswered goals to secure the three points against Shandong Taishan FC at the Buriram City Stadium to sit top of the standings, with Urawa Red Diamonds in second place on goal difference.