Win delights Kawasaki’s Oniki, JDT’s Solari finds positives

Wed, 20 Sep, 2023

Win delights Kawasaki’s Oniki, JDT’s Solari finds positives

Johor Bahru: A spectacular Marcinho overhead kick gave Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale a winning start in Group I of the AFC Champions LeagueTM 2023/24, much to the delight of head coach Toru Oniki.

The 1-0 victory on Tuesday saw Kawasaki maintain their unbeaten record at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium against Johor Darul Ta’zim, having won one and drawn one in last year’s edition at the group stage.

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Group I: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 0-1 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Thu, 21 Sep, 2023

Group I: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 0-1 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Johor Bahru: Marcinho’s spectacular overhead kick on the stroke of halftime earned Kawasaki Frontale a 1-0 win over Johor Darul Ta’zim as the J1 League side took all three points in the Group I clash in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday.

Toru Oniki’s team put their indifferent domestic form behind them to secure the win with a professional display as the four-time Japanese champions handed Malaysia’s JDT a rare defeat at their Sultan Ibrahim Stadium stronghold.

Group E: Persepolis FC (IRN) 0-2 Al Nassr (KSA)

Thu, 21 Sep, 2023

Group E: Persepolis FC (IRN) 0-2 Al Nassr (KSA)

Tehran: Al Nassr marked Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut in the AFC Champions League™ with a 2-0 away victory against Persepolis FC at Azadi Stadium in Group E of the 2023/24 edition on Tuesday.

The hosts suffered an early blow as experienced forward Mehdi Torabi had to be stretched off inside the opening 10 minutes following an injury, being replaced by Shahab Zahedi.

Group E: FC Istiklol (TJK) 0-0 Al Duhail SC (QAT)

Wed, 20 Sep, 2023

Group E: FC Istiklol (TJK) 0-0 Al Duhail SC (QAT)

Dushanbe: Last year’s AFC Champions League™ semi-finalists Al Duhail will take a point back to Qatar from their Group E clash against FC Istiklol after Hernan Crespo’s side shared a 0-0 draw with the Tajikistan champions at the Central Republican Stadium on Tuesday.

Sultan Al Braik went closest to breaking the stalemate 15 minutes from time when his attempt from the edge of the penalty area took a huge deflection and came back off Rustam Yatimov’s right post before bouncing to safety.

But, in a game of few clear-cut scoring opportunities, Istiklol’s defensive discipline ensured Al Duhail were limited to trying their luck from distance, a tactic that yielded little to seriously trouble goalkeeper Yatimov throughout the 90 minutes.

Group G: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI) 1-3 Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)

Wed, 20 Sep, 2023

Group G: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI) 1-3 Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)

Manila: Moises Lima Magalhaes, Matheus Pato and Crysan were on target as China PR’s Shandong Taishan FC were made to work hard by Kaya FC-Iloilo of the Philippines for a 3-1 victory that helped them begin their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 campaign in Group G on a winning note on Tuesday. 

Kaya, only making their second appearance in the tournament, did well to keep Shandong goalless for more than an hour at the Rizal Memorial Stadium and will take plenty of positives from the tie, having also scored through Jarvey Gayoso late in the second half. 

Group G: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) 2-4 Incheon United (KOR)

Wed, 20 Sep, 2023

Group G: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) 2-4 Incheon United (KOR)

Yokohama: Second half substitute Hernandez turned the game in Incheon United’s favour on Tuesday as the Brazilian came off the bench to score twice in the final 15 minutes and earn the AFC Champions League™ debutants a 4-2 Group G win over hosts Yokohama F Marinos.

Hernandez, introduced from the bench in the 61st minute for Stefan Mugosa, left Kevin Muscat’s J1 League champions in tatters with a performance that split the teams after they had shared four goals in a frantic first half.

Group I: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) 3-1 BG Pathum United (THA)

Wed, 20 Sep, 2023

Group I: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) 3-1 BG Pathum United (THA)

Ulsan: Martin Adam’s hat-trick saw Korea Republic champions Ulsan Hyundai kick off their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 campaign in Group I with a 3-1 win against BG Pathum United of Thailand at the Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on Tuesday.

Ulsan took the lead through Adam in the 28th minute only for the visitors to equalise through Ryhan Stewart before the break. But, the 28-year-old Hungarian striker added two more in the second half to give the two-time Asian champions a winning start.