Choi expects more from Shandong

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Choi expects more from Shandong

Yokohama: China PR’s Shandong Taishan FC ended their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 group stage campaign on a low after a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Yokohama F Marinos on Wednesday, much to the disappointment of head coach Choi Kang-hee.

Despite the result not affecting Shandong’s progress to the knockout stage as they qualified as one of three best runners-up, the Korean tactician was not pleased with the lapses in concentration shown at the Yokohama International Stadium.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2023_-_group_g_|_yokohama_f_marinos_jpn_3-0_shandong_taishan_fc_chn.html

Emotional Muscat signs off with high praise for Marinos

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Emotional Muscat signs off with high praise for Marinos

Yokohama: Kevin Muscat did not try to hide his emotions after Yokohama F. Marinos produced an outstanding performance to beat Shandong Taishan 3-0 to advance to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 knockout stage on Wednesday. .

The match was Muscat’s last as Marinos head coach and the Australian was incredibly proud with the performance which saw them topping Group G. 

The win capped Muscat’s reign, having taken over from Ange Postecoglou in 2021, where he guided Marinos to the Japanese title in 2022 and a runners-up finish in the recently concluded season.

Petrescu: Jeonbuk need to improve

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Petrescu: Jeonbuk need to improve

Jeonju: Dan Petrescu admits there is much improvement needed if there is going to be cheer for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 knockout stage. 

The Korean side had to work hard for their 3-2 win over Group F winners Bangkok United on Wednesday, a result which saw the two-time AFC Champions League winners advancing to the Round of 16 as one of the three best runners-up from the East Zone. 

Jeonbuk had to rally from a goal down to lead 3-1, with Bangkok scoring a late consolation.

East Zone knockout stage cast finalised

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

East Zone knockout stage cast finalised

Kuala Lumpur: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors were the final team to book their spot in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 after a 3-2 win over Bangkok United on Wednesday.

The two-time AFC Champions League winners advanced as one of the three best runners-up from the East Zone, coming from behind to beat Bangkok United.

Group F: Jeonbuk take final spot

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Group F: Jeonbuk take final spot

Jeonju: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors secured their ticket to the Round of 16 in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 after a 3-2 win over Group F winners Bangkok United on Wednesday was enough to see them advance as one of the three best runners-up.

Wanchai Jarunongkran opened the scoring for the visitors inside five minutes, but Moon Seon-min levelled for two-time champions Jeonbuk as half-time approached and the sides went into the interval all square.

Jeonbuk dominated the second half but had to wait until the final 15 minutes to secure the win when a quickfire Lee Dong-jun brace calmed any nerves inside Jeonju World Cup Stadium and, despite a late Rungrath Phumichantuk consolation, the hosts sealed their passage to the last 16.

Group F: Kitchee sign off on high note

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Group F: Kitchee sign off on high note

Singapore: Hong Kong Premier League champions Kitchee finished their AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 campaign on a high on Wednesday with a 2-0 victory over Lion City Sailors in Singapore to pick up their first win in Group F of this year’s competition.

Chris van Huizen’s 11th minute own goal and a clinical finish by Fernando 16 minutes from time secured all three points for Kitchee and some pride for Kim Dong-jin’s team, who went into the clash at Jalan Besar Stadium already eliminated from the competition.

The win took Kitchee onto four points from their six AFC Champions League group matches and still leaves them bottom of the standings, two points behind Lion City. Bangkok United won the group with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in second.

Jackson lauds Mariners’ strong finish

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Jackson lauds Mariners’ strong finish

Binan: Head coach Mark Jackson praised Central Coast Mariners’ determination in their 3-0 win over Stallion Laguna FC in their final AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group G tie at the Binan Football Stadium on Wednesday.

The Australian side led from start to finish to seal top spot with 13 points, while the Philippines club ended their campaign with just a draw.

Group G: Terengganu beat Bali to keep hopes alive

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Group G: Terengganu beat Bali to keep hopes alive

Kuala Terengganu: Terengganu FC completed their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group G campaign with a 2-0 win over Indonesia’s Bali United on Tuesday but now face an anxious wait to know their fate in the competition.

The victory maintained Terengganu's second place in Group G with 12 points and they are mathematically still in the running to qualify as the best placed runners-up from the ASEAN Zone, but will have to wait till Thursday to know their fate when Group F concludes. 

Player to Watch: Son Heung-min (Korea Republic)

Thu, 14 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Son Heung-min (Korea Republic)

Kuala Lumpur: Son Heung-min will line-up in Qatar for his fourth crack at leading Korea Republic to their first AFC Asian Cup™ title since 1960 in some of the best form of his career.

The 31-year-old returns to the scene of his first appearance at the continental championship and to where he scored his first goal in his nation’s colours, after coming off the bench to strike in a 4-1 group stage win over India back in 2011.
 
That campaign ended at the semi-final stage for the Koreans and while the nation’s continental drought has continued, Son has flourished to become one of Asian football’s best known faces.