Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: AFC Champions League winners Kashima Antlers kick off their FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 campaign on Saturday against CONCACAF champions Guadalajara.
Japan's Kashima were runners-up to Real Madrid in 2016 when they participated as hosts in Japan but this time are aiming to become the first AFC champions to reach the final in the competition’s history.
Standing in their way are Mexican side Guadalajara, better known as Chivas, who in April ended a 56-year wait for continental glory. There have been seven previous encounters between Asian and CONCACAF champions, with Asian sides winning three of those matches.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/go_oiwa-kashima_2.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/yuma_suzuki-kashima-afp.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/jose_cardozo-cd_guadalajara-fifa.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/guadalajara-fifa_1.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Al Ain made hard work of their opening FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 match, digging deep to come back from three goals down to defeat Team Wellington on penalties.
They will need to play at a higher level against Esperance in the quarter-final on Saturday if they are to continue their run.
Zoran Mamic’s side may have narrowly avoided an early exit but the match took a major physical and mental toll on the Al Ain players, who after 120 minutes of action must regroup with just three days’ rest.
Back at their Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain host the champions of Africa with a spot in the semi-final against Copa Libertadores winners River Plate awaiting the winners.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Al Ain coach Zoran Mamic praised his side’s “big character” after they battled back to avoid a FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 upset against Team Wellington on Wednesday.
The Boss found themselves 3-0 down after 44 minutes but showed great spirit to score three goals and take the match to extra-time and then penalties.
Two saves from goalkeeper Khalid Eisa saw Al Ain emerge victorious and they now play CAF Champions League winners Esperance in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Despite watching his side struggle to beat a semi-professional team, Mamic was happy with the resilience demonstrated by his players.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Al Ain survived a major scare from New Zealand side Team Wellington, fighting back from three goals down to edge Wednesday's pulsating opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2018 4-3 on penalties after the tie ended 3-3.
The Boss have won the UAE Pro League title in four of the past seven seasons and expectations were high that they could progress into the latter stages of the competition, where the likes of River Plate and Real Madrid await.
But the 2003 AFC Champions League winners almost succumbed to a defeat, needing a penalty shootout to advance as their defence was badly exposed by the OFC side.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Go Oiwa apologised for his hoarse voice but he didn't have to for the 100,000 fans in Tehran's Azadi Stadium that had seen the Kashima Antlers head coach on his feet shouting throughout the second leg of the 2018 AFC Champions League final on Saturday.
Aiwa led from the front as Kashima utilised their game plan to perfection to blunt Persepolis, holding the Islamic Republic of Iran side to a 0-0 draw to win their first AFC Champions League title 2-0 on aggregate.
Fittingly, the title the Japanese club craved the most turned out to be the 20th major honour in their history and Oiwa paid tribute to his players.
"It was a very tough game but my players were very mobile, battled well and I am delighted with the result. I lost my voice but it is worth it," said Oiwa.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Kashima Antlers' Kento Misao believes the 2018 AFC Champions League crown is a title that will one day help define his career.
The 22-year-old played a key role as Japan’s Kashima Antlers sealed their maiden continental crown with a 0-0 second leg draw away to Persepolis of the Islamic Republic of Iran on Saturday, after winning the first leg of the final 2-0.
The young Japan star was in no doubt as to the magnitude of the team’s success, and is sure it is a triumph he will look back on with great pride in years to come.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Yuma Suzuki of Kashima Antlers was crowned the 2018 AFC Champions League Most Valuable Player (MVP) in Tehran on Saturday.
Suzuki's performances in the 2018 AFC Champions League played a pivotal role in Kashima's surge to the title for the first time, with the 22-year-old striker - with two goals to his name - having developed a solid understanding with Brazilian Serginho.
"I am really, really happy with the fact that I was selected for the ACL MVP. but this award is not just about myself but it’s the result of the team performance," said Suzuki.