Ji, Kerr nominated for FIFA's Best award

Tue, 23 Nov, 2021

Lausanne: Australia's Sam Kerr and Ji So-yun of Korea Republic have been nominated for the The Best FIFA Women’s Player award.

Preview: Coaches braced for tough encounter in Al Hilal, Pohang Steelers final showdown

Wed, 24 Nov, 2021

Preview: Coaches braced for tough encounter in Al Hilal, Pohang Steelers final showdown

Riyadh: Head coaches Leonardo Jardim and Kim Gi-dong expect a tough encounter when Al Hilal SFC take on Pohang Steelers in the 2021 AFC Champions League final at King Fahd International Stadium on Tuesday.

Both clubs boast a proud continental history in the competition, with Al Hilal having won it in 1991, 1999-2000 and 2019 while Pohang Steelers lifted the trophy in 1996, 1996-97 and 2009, meaning the winner will have the right to being called the single most successful club in AFC Champions League history.

To raise the stakes higher, the winning team will earn a place in the FIFA Club World Cup taking place in the UAE early next year.

2021 AFC Champions League Final in Numbers

Tue, 23 Nov, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League Final in Numbers

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC and Pohang Steelers will square off for the right to be crowned kings of the continent when the sides meet in the 2021 AFC Champions League final at King Fahd International Stadium on Tuesday. 

Both teams will be looking to write their own piece of history in the one-legged showpiece event as they prepare to go head-to-head for the first time since the Asian Club Championship semi-finals in 1998. 

Ahead of the grand finale in Riyadh, the-AFC.com highlights some of the standout numbers surrounding the fixture. 

Al Hilal SFC: Ones to Watch

Tue, 23 Nov, 2021

Al Hilal SFC: Ones to Watch

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC go into the 2021 AFC Champions League final against FC Pohang Steelers on the back of stellar performances from key players across the pitch, with impressive numbers and achievements to show for it.

With the tie taking place on Tuesday at the King Fahd International Stadium, the-AFC.com looks at three of the club’s top performers throughout this campaign who could be the difference makers as Al Hilal pursue their fourth title.

Pohang Steelers: Ones to Watch

Tue, 23 Nov, 2021

Pohang Steelers: Ones to Watch

Riyadh: Pohang Steelers are aiming to be crowned kings of Asia for a record fourth time when they take on Al Hilal SFC in the 2021 AFC Champions League finale in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The current crop of Pohang players will hope to emulate the class of 2009 when the club last lifted the famous trophy, but face a daunting challenge away from home at a partisan King Fahd International Stadium in the Saudi Arabian capital. 

Ahead of Tuesday’s hotly anticipated one-legged showpiece, the-AFC.com has selected three players who could prove to be the key in Pohang's bid to overcome the final hurdle.

2021 AFC Champions League Final – The Coach: Leonardo Jardim (Al Hilal SFC)

Sun, 21 Nov, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League Final – The Coach: Leonardo Jardim (Al Hilal SFC)

Riyadh: Leonardo Jardim hopes to become the first Portuguese manager to win the AFC Champions League as he leads Al Hilal SFC against Pohang Steelers in the final on Tuesday.

An honour first achieved in Europe by Arthur Jorge in 1987 with FC Porto and followed twice by Jose Mourinho since, in South America in 2019 by former Al Hilal boss Jorge Jesus with Flamengo and the following year by Abel Ferreira at Palmeiras, remains unprecedented in the world’s largest continent, offering Jardim the opportunity to create history for his nation.

2021 AFC Champions League Final – The Coach: Kim Gi-dong (Pohang Steelers)

Sun, 21 Nov, 2021

2021 AFC Champions League Final – The Coach: Kim Gi-dong (Pohang Steelers)

Riyadh: Not many people have tasted success as both a player and a head coach for their beloved club, but Kim Gi-dong is on the verge of doing just that for Pohang Steelers. 

Having been part of the 2009 AFC Champions League-winning squad and claiming several other titles with Pohang during his playing days, Kim has now led the side to the 2021 continental final. 

Ahead of the grand finale against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC on November 23, the 49-year-old is aiming to become one of a select few to have won Asia’s biggest club prize as both a player and head coach.