Al Riffa were always confident of derby victory, says Ashour

Wed, 07 Sep, 2022

Al Riffa were always confident of derby victory, says Ashour

Muharraq: Al Riffa head coach Ali Ashour hailed his players' faith in their ability as key behind a thrilling 5-4 penalty shootout victory against neighbours East Riffa in the AFC Cup 2022™ West Zone Semi-final on Tuesday.

The domestic rivals played out a goalless draw in 90 minutes before goals from Ali Haram and Abdulla Shallal cancelled each other out in extra time as Al Riffa’s lead lasted just three minutes. Then in the penalties, goalkeeper Abdulkarim Fardan was his side’s hero, saving twice to send Al Riffa to the West Zone Final against Oman’s Al Seeb next month.

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Disappointed but Motroc proud of East Riffa's effort

Wed, 07 Sep, 2022

Disappointed but Motroc proud of East Riffa's effort

Muharraq: East Riffa's AFC Cup™ 2022 campaign may have come to an end following their defeat to Al Riffa in the West Zone Semi-final on Tuesday but head coach Florin Motroc only had praise for his players.

The derby came to life in the closing stages of extra-time as East Riffa hauled themselves back into the tie with Abdulla Shallal drawing them level in the 117th minute, after Abdullah Shallal had given Al Riffa the lead in the 114th.

Goalkeeper Abdulkarim Fardan proved to be the difference in the penalty shootout as his two saves saw Al Riffa winning 5-4 to set up a West Zone final against Oman's Al Seeb Club. 

Bakaev hails Sogdiana substitutes for making the difference

Wed, 07 Sep, 2022

Bakaev hails Sogdiana substitutes for making the difference

Jizzakh: PFC Sogdiana’s Ulugbek Bakaev revealed that second-half substitutions paved the way for the Uzbekistan side’s hard-fought 1-0 win over Hong Kong’s Eastern Long Lions in the AFC Cup™ 2022 Inter-Zone Semi-final on Tuesday.

Shakhruz Norkhonov’s last-gasp effort sent Sogdiana through to the Inter-Zone Final against either ATK Mohun Bagan of India or Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur City FC on October 5.

Losada confident of Eastern’s future despite heartbreaking exit

Wed, 07 Sep, 2022

Losada confident of Eastern’s future despite heartbreaking exit

Jizzakh: Head coach Roberto Losada sees a bright future for Eastern Long Lions despite their 1-0 defeat to Uzbekistan’s PFC Sogdiana in the AFC Cup™ 2022 Inter-Zone Semi-final on Tuesday.

The Hong Kong club had gone into the tie with a well-crafted plan to stop Sogdiana, only for their best efforts to come undone almost at the death when the home side sealed victory through Shakhruz Norkhonov’s 85th minute strike.

Stan: I knew Al Seeb would win

Tue, 06 Sep, 2022

Stan: I knew Al Seeb would win

Kuwait City: Head coach Ilie Stan had full confidence that Al Seeb Club would advance to the AFC Cup™ 2022 West Zone Final at Arabi SC's expense on Monday. 

Despite playing away, Al Seeb found their scoring boots in extra time with Muhsen Al Ghassani (95th) and Salaah Al Yahyaei (99th) putting them ahead in the semi-final with Kingsley Eduwo scoring a consolation for Kuwait's Arabi SC five minutes from the end as the Omani side sealed their place in the West Zone Final on October 4. 

Loss an eye opener, says Arabi's Trenchovski

Tue, 06 Sep, 2022

Loss an eye opener, says Arabi's Trenchovski

Kuwait City: Head coach Jugoslav Trenchovski said Arabi SC's AFC Cup™ 2022 West Zone Semi-final defeat to Al Seeb Club was a learning experience not only for his team but also Kuwaiti football.

The hosts fell 2-1 to Al Seeb in extra-time on Monday as the Omani club struck through Muhsen Al Ghassani and Salaah Al Yahyaei with Kingsley Eduwo scoring a consolation five minutes from the end.

Philippines stopped by New Zealand fight back

Wed, 07 Sep, 2022

Philippines stopped by New Zealand fight back

Fullerton: The Philippines concluded their 13-day training camp in the United States with a 2-1 defeat to New Zealand in an international friendly on Tuesday.

Alen Stajcic’s side let slip a Sarina Bolden lead going into the break, conceding twice late in the game with Meikayla Moore and Ali Riley scoring for New Zealand.

Australia denied by Canada's Leon again

Tue, 06 Sep, 2022

Australia denied by Canada's Leon again

Sydney: A brace from Adriana Leon denied Australia as Canada came from behind to beat the Matildas 2-1 in an international friendly on Tuesday.

It was Australia's second successive defeat to the Tokyo Olympics gold medallists, who won the first friendly 1-0 on Saturday.