Shaikh Salman hails Ulsan Hyundai FC for securing second AFC Champions League title

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Shaikh Salman hails Ulsan Hyundai FC for securing second AFC Champions League title

Doha: Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has praised Ulsan Hyundai FC after the Korea Republic side claimed their second AFC Champions League crown when they defeated Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC 2-1 in a captivating final on Saturday at the Al Janoub Stadium.

Ulsan Hyundai rallied to an impressive comeback victory after Mehdi Abdi Qara gave Persepolis the lead, but Brazilian ace Junior Negrao scored in each half to hand his side their second Continental club title since 2012.

The AFC President said: “On behalf of the AFC and Asian football family, I would like to congratulate both Persepolis and Ulsan Hyundai for producing a memorable night of spectacular football.

Ulsan Hyundai lift AFC Champions League trophy with come from behind win over Persepolis

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ulsan Hyundai lift AFC Champions League trophy with come from behind win over Persepolis

Doha: Korea Republic’s Ulsan Hyundai were crowned 2020 AFC Champions League winners, lifting the trophy for the second time in their history after a brace from Junior Negrao secured a 2-1 win over Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis in the final at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.

Champions in 2012, Ulsan Hyundai came into the final with the momentum of an impressive run of eight consecutive wins.

Meanwhile, 2018 runners-up Persepolis boasted a mean defence that had conceded just two goals since the competition’s resumption in October, with both being penalties.

Ulsan Hyundai's Yoon Bit-garam named 2020 AFC Champions League MVP

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ulsan Hyundai's Yoon Bit-garam named 2020 AFC Champions League MVP

Doha: Yoon Bit-garam's phenomenal form in the 2020 AFC Champions League saw the Ulsan Hyundai FC midfielder win the Most Valuable Player award following the conclusion of the final at the Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday.

Yoon played a pivotal role in Ulsan Hyundai winning the trophy for a second time as he contributed four goals and marshalled the engine room superbly as the Korea Republic side lifted the AFC Champions League trophy with a 2-1 win over Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis FC in the final.

Al Nassr’s Abderrazak Hamdallah wins 2020 AFC Champions League Top Scorer award

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Nassr’s Abderrazak Hamdallah wins 2020 AFC Champions League Top Scorer award

Doha: Al Nassr striker Abderrazak Hamdallah was crowned the 2020 AFC Champions League’s top goal scorer on Saturday, finishing with a tournament-best seven.

The Moroccan star finished level on goals and assists with victorious Ulsan Hyundai FC front man Júnior Negrão but won the award by virtue of having played fewer total minutes throughout the competition.

Hamdallah’s win makes him the first Al Nassr player, as well as the first from Morocco to win the prestigious honour, with his seven goals coming at a rate of one per match in an exceptional individual campaign.

Shandong Luneng seal AFC Champions League return with Chinese FA Cup triumph

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Shandong Luneng seal AFC Champions League return with Chinese FA Cup triumph

Suzhou: Shandong Luneng will return to the AFC Champions League in 2021 after Hao Wei’s side handed Chinese Super League champions Jiangsu Suning a 2-0 defeat in the final of the Chinese FA Cup on Saturday, denying Cosmin Olaroiu’s team a league and cup double.

Shandong, who had finished fifth in the Chinese Super League, had goals from Wang Tong and Graziano Pelle to thank for their first Chinese FA Cup win since 2014, with victory securing the club a return to the AFC Champions League after missing out on the competition in 2020.

Bounedjah brace steers Al Sadd to Qatar Amir Cup at newly inaugurated Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Bounedjah brace steers Al Sadd to Qatar Amir Cup at newly inaugurated Ahmad bin Ali Stadium

Doha: A brace from Algerian forward Baghdad Bounedjah steered Al Sadd to their 17th Qatar Amir Cup title as they defeated Al Arabi 2-1 in the final at the newly inaugurated Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on Friday.

The match was the first to be played at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium which became the fourth fully operational FIFA World Cup 2022 venue two years ahead of the global showpiece.

The search for Asia's Most Popular Football Club: Shanghai Shenhua, Suwon Samsung Bluewings seal places in final

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The search for Asia's Most Popular Football Club: Shanghai Shenhua, Suwon Samsung Bluewings seal places in final

Kuala Lumpur: Shanghai Shenhua and Suwon Samsung Bluewings are through to the final of the Search for Asia's Most Popular Football Club after finishing as the two highest ranked teams in the East Asia poll.

China PR side Shanghai Shenhua received 40% of the total votes cast while Korea Republic's Suwon Samsung Bluewings garnered 18%.

They join Islamic Republic of Iran clubs Tractor SC and Persepolis FC, who finished top two in the combined Central & South Asia poll, in the final.  

The polls for the ASEAN and West regions start on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, with the final of the Search for Asia's Most Popular Football Club kicking off on Sunday.

Check out the East Asia nominees and results below.