AFC Champions League (East): What They Said

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League (East): What They Said

Doha: After a prolonged absence, the East Asia sides returned to 2020 AFC Champions League action in exciting fashion with teams playing back-to-back fixtures and providing numerous talking points.

Redemption, unfortunate mistakes, unlikely replacements and two-goal heroes, here's what those involved had to say about the opening weekend of fixtures as the 2020 AFC Champions League (East) resumed in Doha.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/group_f_-_md2_ulsan_hyundai_fc_3-1_shanghai_shenhua_ .html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/group_f_-_md1_perth_glory_1-2_shanghai_shenhua_fc.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/bruno_génésio_-_beijing_fc_-_fc_seoul_-_acl_2020.html

Perth Glory’s youngsters ready to embrace ‘fantastic’ AFC Champions League challenge, says Ola

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Perth Glory’s youngsters ready to embrace ‘fantastic’ AFC Champions League challenge, says Ola

Doha: Perth Glory may be staring down the barrel of 2020 AFC Champions League elimination, but their players remain in a buoyant mood ahead of Tuesday’s clash against Korea Republic’s Ulsan Hyundai, according to head coach Cristian Ola.

Without a point from their opening two matches, and still without the services of a number of senior players, Perth could be forgiven for feeling pessimistic about their four remaining Group F fixtures, but Ola, who is part of the technical staff led by former Socceroo Richard Garcia, believes the opposite is true.

Strength in depth key for Beijing FC's Genesio ahead of AFC Champions League tie against Melbourne Victory

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Strength in depth key for Beijing FC's Genesio ahead of AFC Champions League tie against Melbourne Victory

Doha: Beijing FC head coach Bruno Genesio is keen for all members of his squad to contribute to a successful 2020 AFC Champions League campaign ahead of their clash against Melbourne Victory in Group E on Tuesday.

The Chinese Super League side have a 100% record so far, winning two from two and a third win in a row could put them at arm’s length from their chasers at the halfway point of the group stage.

FC Tokyo’s Hasegawa wary of Shanghai Shenhua’s local talent ahead of AFC Champions League clash

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

FC Tokyo’s Hasegawa wary of Shanghai Shenhua’s local talent ahead of AFC Champions League clash

FC Tokyo head coach Kenta Hasegawa has brushed off suggestions his side are favourites against an undermanned Shanghai Shenhua FC, saying the Chinese club’s local players will mount a genuine challenge in Tuesday’s 2020 AFC Champions League clash.

With star imports Giovanni Moreno and Kim Shin-wook unlikely to feature, Shenhua will require strong performances from their domestic players in the crucial Group F Matchday Three tie, but Hasegawa refuses to take Choi Kang-hee’s injury-hit squad lightly.

Fitness to dictate FC Seoul's lineup for AFC Champions League encounter with Chiangrai United 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Fitness to dictate FC Seoul's lineup for AFC Champions League encounter with Chiangrai United 

Doha: Head coach Lee Won-jun is set to pick only those who are in top physical condition for his FC Seoul starting XI against Thailand’s Chiangrai United in their third game of the 2020 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

The 2013 runners-up got their campaign off to a winning start back in February, defeating Melbourne Victory 1-0, but another Park Chu-young goal was not enough on Saturday as they lost 2-1 to Beijing FC to drop to second in Group E.

We have to take AFC Champions League chance while we can, says Ulsan Hyundai’s Yoon

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

We have to take AFC Champions League chance while we can, says Ulsan Hyundai’s Yoon

Doha: After falling narrowly short in both of Korea Republic’s major domestic competitions, Yoon Bit-garam has urged his Ulsan Hyundai side to seize the opportunity to become AFC Champions League winners.

The comments came following Yoon’s Player of the Match performance in the club’s comprehensive 3-1 win over Shanghai Shenhua at Education City Stadium on Saturday; a showing in which they stamped their authority as possible title contenders.

End justifies the means for Pereira in Shanghai SIPG's AFC Champions League win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

End justifies the means for Pereira in Shanghai SIPG's AFC Champions League win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Doha: Shanghai SIPG head coach Vitor Pereira insisted his pragmatic approach in his side’s 2-1 win against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Sunday was dictated by the competition’s tight fixtures schedule.

The Chinese Super League side fielded a heavily rotated starting XI with the likes of Hulk, Aaron Mooy and two-goal hero from the previous game Li Shenglong being introduced in the second half.

The Portuguese manager’s plan paid dividends as Shanghai SIPG added a second win in three days to hit six points in Group H of the 2020 AFC Champions League.

Jeonbuk play Australia's Sydney FC on Wednesday while Shanghai SIPG and Yokohama F Marinos will square off in a top-of-the-table clash on the same day.