ASEAN Zonal Final: 3 Memorable Matches

Sat, 20 Aug, 2022

ASEAN Zonal Final: 3 Memorable Matches

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Cup™ 2022 ASEAN Zonal Final is set to take place on Wednesday in which Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur City will take on PSM Makassar of Indonesia with regional bragging rights on the line.

Following the introduction of the zonal format in 2017, the Southeast Asian section of the competition has witnessed some thrilling matches, albeit with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting the last two editions.

This year saw the return of the ASEAN Zone which is set to conclude with an eagerly anticipated clash. Ahead of the match-up, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the most memorable ASEAN Zonal Finals from the past.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/ceres_negros_vs_home_united_afc_cup_2017_asean_zonal_final_second_leg.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/home_united_fc_2-0_ceres_negros_fc_afc_cup_2018_asean_zonal_final_-_second_leg.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/video/2019_asean_zonal_final_-_2nd_leg_hanoi_fc_vs_becamex_binh_duong.html

AFC Champions League™ 2022: Round of 16 in Numbers

Sat, 20 Aug, 2022

AFC Champions League™ 2022: Round of 16 in Numbers

Saitama: The teams in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 (EAST) have been reduced to four following the conclusion of the Round of 16 ties.

Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Vissel Kobe of Japan edged their compatriots Daegu FC and Yokohama F. Marinos on Thursday, before Thai side BG Pathum United and Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds overcame Kitchee SC and Johor Darul Ta’zim respectively.

Ahead of the quarter-finals on Monday, the-AFC.com highlights some of the standout numbers from the four ties.

#ACL2022 Knockout Stage Draw (East) Finalised

Sat, 20 Aug, 2022

#ACL2022 Knockout Stage Draw (East) Finalised

Saitama: The four AFC Champions League™ 2022 (East) quarter-finalists learnt their path to the final following the conclusion of the knockout stage draw on Saturday.

The draw, conducted at the Saitama Stadium 2002, saw Japan's Vissel Kobe drawn to meet Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Korea Republic while Urawa Red Diamonds, also from Japan, will meet BG Pathum United of Thailand with the quarter-finals to be played on Monday.

We haven't won anything yet, says Urawa's Rodriguez

Sat, 20 Aug, 2022

We haven't won anything yet, says Urawa's Rodriguez

Saitama: Head coach Ricardo Rodriguez expects his Urawa Red Diamond players to remain focused despite a stellar performance in the 5-0 win over Johor Darul Ta’zim in their AFC Champions League™ 2022 Round of 16 tie on Friday.

The two-time AFC Champions League winners were at their devastating best with Alexander Scholtz opening the scoring in the seventh minute from the penalty spot. David Moberg's brace gave Urawa a healthy lead going into the break with substitute Kasper Junker then adding two more as Urawa booked a fifth quarter-final appearance in the continental showpiece.

Makoto: Expect more from BG Pathum United

Fri, 19 Aug, 2022

Makoto: Expect more from BG Pathum United

Saitama: BG Pathum United head coach Makoto Teguramori credited intensive study of Kitchee’s tactics as the reason his side were able to eliminate the Hong Kong Premier League side from the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Friday.

Teguramori’s side secured a 4-0 win with goals from Worachit Kanitsribumphen, Ikhsan Fandi, Teerasil Dangda and Chatmongkol Tongkiri to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time, a year after missing out in a penalty shoot-out against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

Yoshida: Win over Marinos will spark Vissel Kobe revival

Fri, 19 Aug, 2022

Yoshida: Win over Marinos will spark Vissel Kobe revival

Saitama: Takayuki Yoshida is confident Vissel Kobe’s surprise 3-2 win over Yokohama F Marinos in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 will give his players a much-needed boost for what remains of the competition and going into the rest of the domestic season.

Kobe have struggled in the J1 League so far this season and are currently 24 points adrift of Marinos in the standings, but Yoshida’s side shrugged off that difference to knock Kevin Muscat’s side out of the continental championship.
 
Goals from Nanasei Iino, Daiju Sasaki and Yutaro Oda earned Kobe a famous win and takes the 2020 semi-finalists into Saturday’s draw for the last eight.

Kim hails resilient players after late drama takes Jeonbuk through

Fri, 19 Aug, 2022

Kim hails resilient players after late drama takes Jeonbuk through

Saitama: Head coach Kim Sang-sik applauded his players after Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors struck late to score a 2-1 win over Daegu FC to book a spot in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 (East) quarter-finals on Thursday. 

In a meeting between two Korea Republic side, Song Min-kyu gave Jeonbuk the lead under sweltering conditions at the Urawa Komaba Stadium but Zeca's equaliser forced extra-time.

Substitute Kim Jin-gyu, however, scored in added time at the end of the additional 30 minutes to secure two-time champions Jeonbuk an AFC Champions League last eight spot for the 10th time.