Al Sadd primed for 2022 AFC Champions League™ challenge after phenomenal domestic season

Thu, 03 Mar, 2022

Al Sadd primed for 2022 AFC Champions League™ challenge after phenomenal domestic season

Doha: Al Sadd SC will approach the 2022 AFC Champions League™ with confidence after yet another win on Tuesday took them within two matches of a second consecutive unbeaten season in the Qatar Stars League. 

Goals from Ali Assadalla (32nd), Santi Cazorla (67th), Akram Afif (68th) and Andre Ayed (79th) saw Al Sadd defeat Al Khor 4-2 to stretch their two-season unbeaten run in the Qatar Stars League to 42 matches.

The back-to-back champions, who sealed their 16th league title with four matches to spare, have to avoid defeat against Al Rayyan (March 8) and Al Wakrah (March 10) to complete a second season unbeaten.

A Welcome Move: Bienvenido Marañón excited by new challenge at Johor Darul Ta’zim

Wed, 02 Mar, 2022

A Welcome Move: Bienvenido Marañón excited by new challenge at Johor Darul Ta’zim

Johor Bahru: After a goal and trophy-laden seven-year spell, the AFC Cup’s all-time top goalscorer Bienvenido Marañón brought an end to his time in the Filipino top flight with a high profile move to Southeast Asian giants Johor Darul Ta’zim ahead of the 2022 Malaysia Super League season.

The Spanish-born Philippines striker joined the-AFC.com for an exclusive interview to discuss his move to JDT, the upcoming domestic and continental campaigns, and his goals and ambitions for 2022.

AFC Cup winner Kdouh dreams of AFC Champions League place with Al Zawraa

Tue, 01 Mar, 2022

AFC Cup winner Kdouh dreams of AFC Champions League place with Al Zawraa

Baghdad: Three years after leading his childhood club Al Ahed to AFC Cup glory, Lebanese international forward Mohammed Kdouh is eyeing a spot amongst the continent’s top clubs having joined Iraqi powerhouse Al Zawraa.

With the Baghdad based side preparing to face Sharjah FC in the 2022 AFC Champions League playoff on March 16, Kdouh spoke to the-AFC.com about his ambitions for club and country.

Playing in AFC Champions League important for Australian football, says Melbourne Victory’s cup hero

Mon, 28 Feb, 2022

Playing in AFC Champions League important for Australian football, says Melbourne Victory’s cup hero

Melbourne: A 2020 AFC Champions League winner with Ulsan Hyundai, Australia international Jason Davidson is intent on a return to the continental stage ahead of Melbourne Victory’s 2022 AFC Champions League playoff tie with Japan’s Vissel Kobe on March 15.

Having played a key role in Victory’s FFA Cup triumph at the beginning of February, which qualified Tony Popovic’s side for this year’s playoffs, the 30-year-old Davidson is adamant that a place in the group stage of Asia’s premium club competition is crucial.

Jeonbuk experience drives Buriram’s Sasalak to greater heights

Sun, 27 Feb, 2022

Jeonbuk experience drives Buriram’s Sasalak to greater heights

Buriram: Silverware and an ambition to play at a higher level are the motivation for Sasalak Haiprakhon in the coming months as he chases titles with Buriram United in Thailand and a place in the 2022 AFC Champions League group stage on the continent.  

While a six-month loan spell at K League 1 giants Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors may not have gone to plan for Sasalak, he remains full of optimism now back at Buriram, where the domestic treble is among the more immediate targets.

Latest update on the AFC Champions League 2022™

Tue, 01 Mar, 2022

Latest update on the AFC Champions League 2022™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has taken note of the Chinese Football Association (CFA)’s confirmation of Changchun Yatai FC’s withdrawal from participating in this season’s AFC Champions League™.

Therefore, in accordance with the AFC Champions League 2022™ Competition Regulations, the Playoff Stage match between Changchun Yatai FC and the winners of the Preliminary Stage tie between Australia’s Sydney FC and Kaya FC-Iloilo from the Philippines, which was scheduled to take place on March 15, 2022, has been cancelled.

Latest update on the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™

Tue, 01 Mar, 2022

Latest update on the AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed the United Arab Emirates as the neutral venue for the upcoming AFC Asian Qualifiers – Road to Qatar™ fixtures involving China PR and Syria.

China PR are set to face off against Saudi Arabia in Group B on March 24, 2022, at the Sharjah Stadium, while Syria will host Group A opponents Iraq on March 29, 2022, at the Rashid Stadium in Dubai.