Domestic Leagues
There was also disappointment for other continental stars as their clubs were relegated, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.
England: Hwang’s Wolves bid farewell to Premier League
Korea Republic striker Hwang Hee-chan played a full match for Wolves as they ended their English Premier League campaign with a 1-1 draw with Burnley, who were also relegated after finishing second from bottom.
Uzbekistan defender Abdukodir Khusanov was on for 90 minutes as Manchester City drew 1-1 with Bournemouth, with the result giving Arsenal their first league title in 22 years.
Japan midfielder Daichi Kamada played the first half in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal, with his side closing their season in 15th place.
Leeds United’s Japan international Ao Tanaka saw action for 78 minutes in a 3-0 loss to relegated West Ham United. Leeds, who finished their campaign in 14th, fell to their first defeat in nine games.
Scotland: Maeda leads Scottish Cup win
Japan forward Daizen Maeda struck a 19th-minute opening goal in Celtic’s 3-1 win over Dunfermline Athletic in the Scottish Cup final. Teammate and Korea Republic striker Yang Hyun-jun was in action for 75 minutes as the Premiership champions claimed their second trophy of the season.
Germany: Ito’s Bayern claim double
Japan defender Hiroki Ito came on in the 95th minute in Bayern Munich’s 3-0 win over Stuttgart in the German Cup final to complete a league and club double.
France: Abdulhamid features in Lens’ French Cup triumph
Lens’ Saudi Arabia defender Saud Abdulhamid played a full match in a 3-1 win over Nice in the Coupe de France, giving his side the trophy for the first time in their 120-year history. It was also Lens’ first major win since claiming the League Cup in 1999.
Italy: Audero’s Cremonese relegated
Indonesia keeper Emil Audero was on the losing end as Cremonese went down 4-1 to Como. His side, which finished the match with eight men, was relegated from Serie A after closing third from bottom with 34 points.
Australia defender Alessandro Circati started for Parma in a 1-0 win over Sassuolo, who featured Indonesia defender Jay Idzes for 54 minutes. Parma closed 13th in the standings while Idzes’ side finished two rungs above.
Spain: Asano’s Mallorca’s win a little too late
Japan forward Takuma Asano played 61 minutes in Mallorca’s 3-0 win over Real Oviedo, a result which saw both sides relegated from La Liga. The win failed to save his side after they lost a head-to-head tiebreaker with Osasuna and Levante, with all three closing on 42 points.
Levante’s Australia custodian Mathew Ryan conceded twice in a 2-1 loss to Real Betis, which saw his side close their campaign in 16th place.
Belgium: Ito, Yokoyama power Gent to victory
Genk’s Japan forward Junya Ito and countryman Ayumu Yokoyama featured in a Belgian Pro League Conference League Play-off Group goalless stalemate with Antwerp, who in turn used Japan’s Taishi Nozawa between the posts and international Yuto Tsunashima in midfield.
In their following match, Ito struck in the 16th minute and Yokoyama in the 33rd to seal a 2-0 win over OH Leuven, who started their countrymen Takahiro Akimoto and Takuma Ominami.
Kaito Matsuzawa assisted Sint-Truiden’s goal in their 3-1 defeat to Anderlecht in the Championship Round. Joining him on the pitch were countrymen Rihito Yamamoto and Keisuke Goto. In their final Championship match, Japan’s Taiga Hata netted in the 48th minute while Yamamoto set up the first goal in a 3-0 win over Mechelen.
Syria international Aiham Ousou assisted in Sporting Charleroi’s Conference League Play-off Group 1-1 stalemate with OH Leuven, who started Japan’s Ominami. Ousou also played a full match in Charleroi’s 2-0 win over Standard Liege.
Islamic Republic of Iran forward Allahyar Sayyad and Japan’s Isa Sakamoto took to the pitch in Westerlo’s 2-1 loss to Standard Liege, with teammate and Japan U20 international Shunsuke Saito coming on in the 62nd minute. Sakamoto and Saito also featured in their following 2-0 defeat to Antwerp, who started Japan midfielder Yuto Tsunashima.
Photo: AFP
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