Analysis: Dominant Al Hilal pick up where they left off

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Dominant Al Hilal pick up where they left off

Dubai: Al Hilal proved themselves to be the best in Asia last year and judging by the holders’ display in their 2020 AFC Champions League opener against Iranian debutants Shahr Khodro on Monday, it looks like it will take something special to knock the Saudi giants off their pedestal. 

The 2-0 scoreline at Dubai’s Zabeel Stadium on Monday only tells half the story, for this was as convincing a victory as you are likely to see in this year’s competition, with Al Hilal creating chance after chance from start to finish.

Lucescu warns Al Hilal to brace for tougher campaign

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Lucescu warns Al Hilal to brace for tougher campaign

Dubai: Al Hilal SFC head coach Razvan Lucescu believes his side should have registered a more emphatic result against Shahr Khodro as the defending champions started their 2020 AFC Champions League campaign with a 2-0 win at Al Wasl Stadium on Monday.

Goals from Andre Carrillo and Bafetimbi Gomis gave Al Hilal a perfect start to their title defence in Group B but Romanian Lucescu felt they should have scored more goals to add icing to a great performance.

Group B - MD1: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 2-0 Shahr Khodro FC (IRN)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group B - MD1: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 2-0 Shahr Khodro FC (IRN)

Dubai: Goals from Andre Carrillo and Bafetimbi Gomis either side of the half-time break earned Al Hilal SFC a 2-0 victory over Islamic Republic of Iran’s Shahr Khodro FC at Al Wasl Stadium as the Saudis got their AFC Champions League title defence off to a winning start on Monday.

Making their 16th appearance in the competition, Al Hilal wasted no time in taking the game to their debutant opponents’ half.

Inside the first 15 minutes, Yasser Al Shahrani had side-footed wide from Carillo’s cross and Giovinco threatened from distance, shooting just wide. Giovinco forced goalkeeper Mehdi Rahmati into a top drawer save at the half-hour mark as Shahr Khodro had to weather an avalanche of Saudi attacks.

Group B - MD1: Pakhtakor (UZB) 2-1 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group B - MD1: Pakhtakor (UZB) 2-1 Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE)

Tashkent: Goals from Jaloliddin Masharipov and Dragan Ceran helped Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor get their 2020 AFC Champions League Group B campaign off to a winning start with a 2-1 home victory over Shabab Al Ahli Dubai of the United Arab Emirates in a muddy Pakhtakor Stadium on Monday.

The hosts came into their first encounter against Shabab Al Ahli Dubai hoping to extend their six-match unbeaten home run in the competition.

Draw with Esteghlal a boost for Al Shorta, says head coach Ilic

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Draw with Esteghlal a boost for Al Shorta, says head coach Ilic

Erbil: Al Shorta head coach Aleksandar Ilic was satisfied despite having to settle for a share of the points with Esteghlal FC in their 2020 AFC Champions League Group A tie on Monday.

Hussam Kadhim put the ball into his own net in the first half to give Islamic Republic of Iran's Esteghlal the lead at Franso Hariri Stadium but Ali Fayez salvaged a point for the home team from the penalty spot three minutes into the second half.

Group D - MD1: Al Nassr (KSA) 2-2 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group D - MD1: Al Nassr (KSA) 2-2 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Riyadh: A highly entertaining clash at the Prince Faisal bin Fahad Stadium saw Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr and Qatar’s Al Sadd SC play out a 2-2 draw in their opening 2020 AFC Champions League Group D match on Tuesday.

The two teams had in the quarter-finals of the previous edition, with the first leg ending in a 2-1 home victory for Al Nassr.

Group D - MD1: Al Ain FC (UAE) 0-4 Sepahan FC (IRN)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Group D - MD1: Al Ain FC (UAE) 0-4 Sepahan FC (IRN)

Al Ain: Sepahan FC of Islamic Republic of Iran began their 2020 AFC Champions League campaign in style after defeating UAE’s AL Ain 4-0 in Group D at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Tuesday.

Sepahan took a half-time lead courtesy of Mohammad Mohebbi’s header, while goals from Brazilian Kiros, Soroush Rafiei and Mohammad Tayebi sealed an emphatic victory.