We have to hope for a miracle, admits Gamba Osaka’s Matsunami after AFC Champions League deadlock with Chiangrai

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

We have to hope for a miracle, admits Gamba Osaka’s Matsunami after AFC Champions League deadlock with Chiangrai

Tashkent: Gamba Osaka head coach Masanobu Matsunami pulled no punches in assessing his side’s 2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage chances, admitting the J1 League runners-up will need a miracle to advance following Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Chiangrai United.

Labelled a must-win match by Matsunami prior to kick-off, Gamba dropped points against the Thai side for the second time in four days, with Felipe Amorim’s sixth-minute goal putting the Japanese outfit on the back foot from the outset.

An own goal from Chiangrai defender Brinner just after half-time meant Gamba escaped without defeat, but the result leaves them four points adrift of group leaders Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors with two games remaining.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/2021_afc_champions_league_gamba_osaka_1-1_chiangrai_united.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/sivakorn_tiatrakul_-_chiangrai_united_10_-_afc_champions_league_2021_-_match.html

Group F: Second half revival secures BG Pathum United crucial AFC Champions League victory over Viettel FC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group F: Second half revival secures BG Pathum United crucial AFC Champions League victory over Viettel FC

Bangkok: BG Pathum United fought back from a goal down to beat Viettel FC 3-1 to keep their 2021 AFC Champions League knockout stage hopes alive on Monday. 

Viettel took a deserved lead in the first half, but a flurry of goals after the break saw Thailand's BG Pathum United secure the vital win to stay second in Group F with nine points from four games, while Vietnam's Viettel are third on three points. Defending champions Ulsan Hyundai FC lead the standings on 12 points.

Group F: Ten-man Ulsan Hyundai fend off Kaya FC-Iloilo to extend AFC Champions League win record

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group F: Ten-man Ulsan Hyundai fend off Kaya FC-Iloilo to extend AFC Champions League win record

Bangkok: Ulsan Hyundai FC made it a record-extending 13 wins in a row as the AFC Champions League holders overcame a spirited Kaya FC-Iloilo 2-1 on Monday.

The win took Ulsan - reduced to 10 players in the 31st minute - to 12 points as the Korea Republic side moved closer to confirming their Round of 16 spot from Group F.

Philippines side Kaya, despite the defeat, walked away with their heads held high after not only giving the match their all but by becoming the first team to score against Ulsan in the 2021 edition of the AFC Champions League.

Group I: Kawasaki Frontale defeat United City FC to stay perfect in AFC Champions League

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group I: Kawasaki Frontale defeat United City FC to stay perfect in AFC Champions League

Tashkent: Kawasaki Frontale recorded a comfortable 2-0 win against Filipino side United City FC in Group I of the 2021 AFC Champions League at Lokomotiv Stadium on Monday. 

The two sides had met on Matchday Three, with Kawasaki Frontale cruising to a resounding 8-0 win, yet United City upped their game significantly this time despite the loss.

Group I: Daegu FC cruise past Beijing FC to keep AFC Champions League hopes alive

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group I: Daegu FC cruise past Beijing FC to keep AFC Champions League hopes alive

Tashkent: Daegu FC of Korea Republic stayed in the hunt for a top spot finish, recording a comprehensive 3-0 win against Beijing FC in Group I of the 2021 AFC Champions League on Monday.

Nearly 90 minutes of dominance and more than 30 efforts on goal were rewarded thanks to strikes from Kim Jun-hyuk and Jung Chi-in, as well as a Liang Shawoen own goal, as the K League outfit made it back-to-back wins against the now-eliminated Chinese side.

Preview - Group J: Kitchee SC's counter attacks can derail Port FC's AFC Champions League dreams, warns Sarawut

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - Group J: Kitchee SC's counter attacks can derail Port FC's AFC Champions League dreams, warns Sarawut

Buriram: Sarawut Treephan has warned his Port FC players to be wary of Kitchee’s counter attacking strengths when they take on the Hong Kong Premier League champions in their 2021 AFC Champions League Group J clash at Buriram Stadium on Tuesday.

Port witnessed Kitchee’s ability to score on the break in the teams’ opening encounter in the competition when Alex Chu Chi-kwong’s side notched up a 2-0 win despite the Thai League side dominating for much of the game.

Preview - Group J: Cerezo Osaka's Culpi cautious despite Guangzhou FC players' lack of AFC Champions League experience

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - Group J: Cerezo Osaka's Culpi cautious despite Guangzhou FC players' lack of AFC Champions League experience

Buriram: Levir Culpi will not be underestimating Guangzhou FC’s youngsters as he leads his Cerezo Osaka side into their Group J clash with the Chinese side looking to notch up another win on their way to securing a place in the knockout rounds of the 2021 AFC Champions League.

Culpi’s side have won three of their four opening games and lead the Group J standings with 10 points to sit one point clear of Kitchee with two games remaining and take on a Guangzhou side that has struggled in the competition so far.