Ćeran hat-trick seals Pakhtakor Uzbekistan Super League title

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ćeran hat-trick seals Pakhtakor Uzbekistan Super League title

Tashkent: FC Pakhtakor are the champions of Uzbekistan for a record-extending 14th time, and a third in a year in a row, after they defeated Qizilqum Zarafshon 4-2 on Saturday.

Prolific Serbian forward Dragan Ćeran bagged a hat-trick in the victory, which gives the Tashkent club an unassailable haul of 54 points with four matches remaining in the season. 

The title win is the first under the leadership of Dutch head coach Pieter Huistra, who previously served as the assistant to Shota Arveladze prior to the former Georgian striker’s departure at the end of last season. 

Al Nassr power into semi-finals with emphatic win over Al Wahda

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Nassr power into semi-finals with emphatic win over Al Wahda

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr reached the 2021 AFC Champions League semi-finals after a thumping 5-1 victory against UAE’s Al Wahda FSCC at King Saud University Stadium in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

An action-packed opening 45 minutes saw a plethora of chances wasted by both sides as 2020 AFC Champions League top scorer Abderazzak Hamdallah’s strike proved the difference at the break, before Al Nassr turned on the style in the second half.

Preview: Pohang Steelers, Nagoya Grampus set for thriller

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview: Pohang Steelers, Nagoya Grampus set for thriller

Jeonju: Pohang Steelers and Nagoya Grampus will meet for the third time in the 2021 AFC Champions League as the sides face off in the quarter-finals at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on Sunday.  

Nagoya ran out 3-0 winners back on Matchday Two en route to winning Group G while Pohang joined the J1 League side in the knockout rounds after finishing as one of the best-placed runners-up, rounding off the group stage with a 1-1 draw against Sunday's opponents.

Preview: Jeonbuk, Ulsan geared up for mouthwatering showdown

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview: Jeonbuk, Ulsan geared up for mouthwatering showdown

Jeonju: Two giants from Korea Republic will go head to head in the 2021 AFC Champions League quarter-finals on Sunday as Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors host holders Ulsan Hyundai at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

The sides are each aiming to become the first three-time AFC Champions League winners after Jeonbuk were crowned kings of Asia in 2006 and 2016 while Ulsan won the competition in 2012 and 2020.

Jeonbuk's Gustavo: Winning the AFC Champions League would be a 'great honour'

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Jeonbuk's Gustavo: Winning the AFC Champions League would be a 'great honour'

Jeonju: When Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors kick off their 2021 AFC Champions League quarter-final against domestic rivals Ulsan Hyundai on Sunday, they do so with the highest scorer player remaining in the competition: Gustavo. 

Having twice been on the scoresheet in Jeonbuk's 2020 campaign, when they exited at the group stage, the Brazilian has returned in scintillating form this time round, scoring eight times en route to the quarter-finals to move within one goal of the current top scorer, Michael Olunga of Al Duhail SC.

Ahead of the clash with the defending champions at Jeonju World Cup Stadium, the-AFC.com spoke with the 27-year-old former Corinthians player about his side's chances of continental glory.

Oh Se-hun hails Ulsan teammates ahead of 2021 AFC Champions League quarter-finals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Oh Se-hun hails Ulsan teammates ahead of 2021 AFC Champions League quarter-finals

Jeonju: Ulsan Hyundai striker Oh Se-hun has heaped praise on his teammates and hailed the unity within the camp as the holders get set to face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the 2021 AFC Champions League quarter-finals on Sunday. 

The 22-year-old was not part of last year's title-winning team as he completed his military service but he has played an increasingly important role in the current campaign, and no Ulsan player has scored more goals than his three in the competition to date.

Since the departure of Austrian Lukas Hinterseer, Oh has been charged with spearheading an Ulsan frontline that also includes star power in the likes of Korea Republic internationals Lee Dong-jun and Lee Dong-gyeong, as well as Georgian playmaker Valeri Qazaishvili.

Pohang's Lee Seung-mo 'not satisfied' with 2021 AFC Champions League quarter-final place

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Pohang's Lee Seung-mo 'not satisfied' with 2021 AFC Champions League quarter-final place

Jeonju: When Lee Seung-mo netted the only goal of the game to defeat Cerezo Osaka in the 2021 AFC Champions League last 16, he secured Pohang Steelers a place in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2014, but the 23-year-old has admitted he wants much more.

Lee's close-range effort midway through the first half ensured a continental giant, who have been champions of Asia three times, finally returned to the latter stages of the tournament after a seven-year hiatus and kept Pohang's dreams of winning a first AFC Champions League title since 2009 alive.

Having successfully navigated the Round of 16 in Japan, Pohang will again face J1 League opposition in the quarter-finals, but this time they will do so in their homeland as they take on Nagoya Grampus at Jeonju World Cup Stadium on Sunday.

Nagoya confidence high ahead of 2021 AFC Champions League quarter-final, says Inagaki

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nagoya confidence high ahead of 2021 AFC Champions League quarter-final, says Inagaki

Jeonju: Sho Inagaki has revealed that Nagoya Grampus are travelling to Korea Republic full of belief ahead of their first appearance in the AFC Champions League quarter-finals since 2009. 

Nagoya advanced to the last eight after seeing off K League 1 side Daegu FC 4-2 in the Round of 16, and they face Korean opposition once more on Sunday when they take on three-time continental champions Pohang Steelers at Jeonju World Cup Stadium.

The sides previously met in the group stage, when Nagoya picked up a win and a draw en route to finishing on top of the standings. They now go into their third meeting with Pohang on a high after Inagaki's goal against FC Tokyo on Sunday secured a place in the 2021 J.League Cup final.

India defeat Nepal for eighth title

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

India defeat Nepal for eighth title

Male: India won the 2021 SAFF Championship title with a 3-0 win over Nepal in the final at the National Football Stadium in Male on Saturday.

It was a remarkable eighth title for India, who lifted the crown after having started their campaign with two successive draws.