Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: One of the striking things about the 2019 AFC Champions League knockout rounds is the number of former Continental champions still in with a chance of glory.
Ahead of the Round of 16, the quartet of Guangzhou Evergrande, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Kashima Antlers and Urawa Red Diamonds in the East Zone had all won the coveted trophy, while in the West, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad and Al Sadd had done likewise.
With two-time winners Jeonbuk having now departed, there are five former AFC Champions League winners still in the mix. Three of those sides, meanwhile, will look to create history by becoming the first team to lift the trophy on three occasions – the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the trio.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/guangzhou_2015_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/urawa_2017_champs_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ittihad_2005_1.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/yasser_al_shahrani.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: With the transfer window set to close soon, teams are bolstering their ranks with various national leagues kicking off over the coming days.
The-AFC.com highlights the ins and outs across the Continent.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Guangzhou: Chinese Super League giants Guangzhou Evergrande FC announced the signing of Brazilian forward Elkeson de Oliveira Cardoso from Shanghai SIPG on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old, who began his career in Brazil's Vitoria in 2009 before transferring to Botafogo two years later, first arrived in Guangzhou in 2013.
He had an instant effect, assisting Guangzhou to their third Chinese Super League title in 2013, and remained a pivotal player for the next two years as they clinched back-to-back titles in 2014 and 2015.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Riyadh: Former Korea Republic international Jang Hyun-soo has set his sights on winning this season’s AFC Champions League after joining Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal SFC.
The 27-year-old central defender made the move from Japan’s FC Tokyo as Al Hilal continue to ready themselves for a new Saudi Pro League campaign and their 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash with domestic rivals Al Ahli Saudi FC.
After arriving in Austria for Al Hilal’s pre-season preparations, Jang was quick to pinpoint his targets for the upcoming months – plans which include success on the Continental front.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Manchester: Midfielders Luis Jiménez and Emiliano Vecchio have signed for Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad ahead of their 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie.
The 35-year-old Jiménez makes a return to West Asia after transferring from his boyhood club Palestino, where he scored a vital goal to secure the 2019 Copa Chile in the final against Audax Italiano.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tokyo: Kashima Antlers head coach Go Oiwa has his sights set on making history as the reigning champions close in on their 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-final meeting with two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande next month.
No team has won consecutive titles since Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad managed the feat in 2004 and 2005, but Oiwa believes his team has the right mindset to be the first side in 14 years to achieve that momentous milestone.
“We are trying to win back-to-back AFC Champions League titles and we are going into the matches with confidence,” Oiwa told the-AFC.com.
“We’ve changed some players, we have some young players who have grown and gone to a higher level. I’m sure we can win the title again. That’s the feeling within the team, that we have the power to do it.”