Preview: Sharjah in the way as Air Force Club aim for triumphant return to AFC Champions League

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview: Sharjah in the way as Air Force Club aim for triumphant return to AFC Champions League

Sharjah: Three-time AFC Cup champions Air Force Club return to the AFC Champions League group stage after 13 years as they take on Group B hosts Sharjah FC on Wednesday.

The Iraqi side had won Asia’s second club competition in 2016, 2017 and 2018 and were eliminated from the AFC Champions League playoff in 2019 before overcoming Saudi Arabia’s Al Wehda in this year’s qualifying playoff.

2021 AFC Champions League (West): Six Forwards in Form 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League (West): Six Forwards in Form 

Kuala Lumpur: With the 2021 AFC Champions League kick off just around the corner, the-AFC.com takes a look at the strikers who are poised to make a difference in the western side of the continent.

With no shortage of attacking talent on display, we shine the spotlight on six frontmen who are on fire in their clubs’ domestic campaigns and could be set to bring those hot streaks onto the Asian stage in this year's continental club competition.

2021 AFC Champions League (West): Six Starlets to watch

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League (West): Six Starlets to watch

Kuala Lumpur: With the newly expanded AFC Champions League 2021 group stage just around the corner, the-AFC.com picked six up and coming youngsters who could be set to break through in this year’s edition of the competition.

Some of these starlets are established players for their club sides and some have even appeared in previous AFC Champions League seasons, while several are just breaking into the starting XI, but those U23 players are all eyeing a milestone campaign over the next three weeks.

2021 AFC Champions League In Numbers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League In Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The 2021 AFC Champions League will get underway in West Asia on Wednesday with 20 sides facing two weeks of intense action as they battle it out for qualification to the knockout rounds. 

With the 20 remaining teams from East Asia set to begin their continental campaigns a little later in the year, the-AFC.com looks at some of the numbers that stand out ahead of the start of the 19th edition of the AFC Champions League.

Preview: Pakhtakor, Tractor seek winning start to AFC Champions League campaign

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview: Pakhtakor, Tractor seek winning start to AFC Champions League campaign

Sharjah: Less than seven months after a frustrating quarter-final elimination at the hands of Persepolis FC, Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor start a new AFC Champions League journey and this time it is against another Iranian opponent, Tractor FC.

The 2021 campaign will be Pakhtakor’s 15th involvement in Asia’s top club competition, a record matched by few teams across the continent. And throughout that journey, the Uzbek powerhouse have recorded some impressive results, including two semi-finals and two quarter-finals.

Preview - 2021 AFC Champions League: Group B

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - 2021 AFC Champions League: Group B

Sharjah: The AFC Champions League is back, and with an unprecedented 40 teams spread across 10 groups, the race for the title of Asian champions is sure to be bigger and more intense than ever.

One of the West Zone’s most interesting groups will be found in the United Arab Emirates, where Sharjah will welcome Uzbekistan Super League holders FC Pakhtakor, Iranian Cup winners FC Tractor and Air Force Club of Iraq, who sealed their place with a thrilling play-off win earlier this week.

Ahead of Wednesday’s kick-off, allow the-AFC.com to bring you up to speed with the venue, star players and the group’s context.

Preview - 2021 AFC Champions League: Group C

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - 2021 AFC Champions League: Group C

Jeddah: The seaside bustling Saudi metropole of Jeddah hosts Group C of the 2021 AFC Champions League with local side Al Ahli Saudi FC joined by Iran Pro League giants Esteghlal FC, Iraqi powerhouse Al Shorta and one of Qatar’s most successful sides Al Duhail SC.

In the competition’s expanded format of 40 teams playing in 10 groups, with the group leaders in addition to the top six runners-up qualifying to the Round of 16, competition will be more intense than ever to book a place in the knock-out stage.