Kante warns Al Ittihad of tough Al Ahly challenge

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Kante warns Al Ittihad of tough Al Ahly challenge

Jeddah: N’Golo Kante led by example as he helped Al Ittihad FC reach the second round of the FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 after a solid 3-0 win over New Zealand’s Auckland City FC on Tuesday.

The French midfielder shone throughout the match and applied the finish for the second goal with an incredibly well-taken volley for Al Ittihad to assume a commanding position in the game midway through the first half.

Kante was effusive in his praise of the Saudi Arabian champions’ performance but warned of bigger challenges to come in the shape of Egypt’s Al Ahly on Friday, urging his teammates to be ready.

Al Ittihad cruise past Auckland City

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Al Ittihad cruise past Auckland City

Jeddah: Al Ittihad started their FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 campaign in style, brushing aside New Zealand’s Auckland City FC 3-0 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

With the victory, Al Ittihad set up a clash with record African champions Al Ahly of Egypt at the same ground on Friday.

Resilience powered Al Ahed, says Mohammad

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Resilience powered Al Ahed, says Mohammad

Muscat: Head coach Raafat Mohammad praised Al Ahed for showing tenacity in their come from behind 2-1 win over Syria’s Al Futuwa in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24, with Tuesday’s victory at the Seeb International Stadium sealing the Lebanese side a spot in the West Zonal semi-finals. 

Walid Shour’s penalty cancelled out Youssef Al Hamwi’s 75th minute opener and Mohamad Al Hallak netted the winning goal in the sixth minute of added time, with Al Ahed advancing as the best runners-up from the West Zone.

The 2019 AFC Cup winners will meet Iraq’s Al Kahrabaa SC in the West Zonal semi-finals with Al Riffa of Bahrain to play Oman’s Al Nahda. 

Hong: Ulsan have more to offer

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Hong: Ulsan have more to offer

Ulsan: Hong Myung-bo believes Ulsan Hyundai are capable of much more after reversing a two-goal deficit to hold Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale 2-2 to secure their spot in the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24  Round of 16 on Tuesday.

The point earned was enough for two-time AFC Champions League winners Ulsan to take one of the three best runners-up berths from the East zone in the knockout stage following Melbourne City’s earlier draw with Zhejiang FC. The K League 1 champions finished on 10 points, with Kawasaki topping Group I with 16.

Shinoda proud of history-makers Ventforet

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Shinoda proud of history-makers Ventforet

Buriram: Japan's Ventforet Kofu ensured their fairytale run would continue after their 3-2 win over Buriram United in Tuesday’s AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group H tie saw them top the group and seal a historic spot in the Round of 16.

The tournament debutants needed all three points to become the first second division side to advance to the AFC Champions League knockout stage and head coach Yoshiyuki Shinoda was immensely proud of his team’s efforts. 

Group A: Al Ahed fight back to advance

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Group A: Al Ahed fight back to advance

Muscat: Al Ahed came from behind to defeat Al Futuwa 2-1 in the final matchday of Group A of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 at Seeb International Stadium on Tuesday.

The win takes Al Ahed to six points in second place, with the 2019 AFC Cup winners advancing to the West Zonal semi-finals as the best-placed runners-up. 

Group C: Al Arabi end campaign with win

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Group C: Al Arabi end campaign with win

Kuwait City: Al Arabi edged Nejmeh SC of Lebanon 2-1 to end their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group C campaign on a high note at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium on Tuesday.

The win, however, was not enough for the Kuwait side to advance to the knockout stage while Nejmeh ended their challenge with just a point. 

Player to Watch: Musa Al Taamari (Jordan)

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Musa Al Taamari (Jordan)

Kuala Lumpur: Five years ago, Musa Al Taamari was making his first steps in the AFC Cup™ on loan at Jordanian club Al Jazira. Today he has already broken all sorts of records to stake a claim for being the greatest player his country has ever produced.

As Jordan dream of surpassing their best-ever AFC Asian Cup™ result - quarter-final finishes in 2004 and 2011 - the hopes of the nation rest on the shoulders of their 26-year-old mercurial winger Al Taamari, a man nicknamed by many as ‘The Jordanian Messi’.
 
The unlimited ambition of the Amman-born player has seen him climb new heights season after season since making his senior debut for Shabab Al Ordon and Jordan in 2016. His six AFC Cup goals at Al Jazeera helped the Jordanian side reach the West Zonal Final for the first time in their history in the 2018 edition, and soon after he was on his way to start a European adventure that has seen him play in three countries so far.