Syria braced for Lebanon, Iraq tests

Wed, 16 Mar, 2022

Syria braced for Lebanon, Iraq tests

Damascus: Head coach Ghassan Maatouk have named a 31-man squad for Syria's final two AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ Group A matches against Lebanon and Iraq.

Syria's hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup Finals for the first time ever officially ended last month following their 2-0 defeat to Paulo Bento's Korea Republic.

Daegu FC edge Buriram United on penalties to advance

Tue, 15 Mar, 2022

Daegu FC edge Buriram United on penalties to advance

Daegu: Daegu FC beat Buriram United 3-2 on penalties to reach the 2022 AFC Champions League™ Group Stage on Tuesday. 

A shootout was needed to decide the winners after the tie ended 1-1 after extra time - with both teams scoring in the final minutes. 

Daegu FC proved sharper in the penalty shootout and they join Shandong Taishan FC of China PR, Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds and Singapore’s Lion City Sailors FC in Group F when the East Zone action kicks off on April 15.

Vissel Kobe beat Melbourne Victory in playoff thriller

Tue, 15 Mar, 2022

Vissel Kobe beat Melbourne Victory in playoff thriller

Kobe: Brazilian striker Lincoln scored five minutes into extra-time to take Vissel Kobe through to the Group Stage of the 2022 AFC Champions League™ on Tuesday as the substitute earned Atsuhiro Miura’s side a dramatic 4-3 playoff win over Melbourne Victory at Misaki Park.

Yuya Osako and Nick D’Agostino both scored braces for their respective teams after Andres Iniesta had put the J.League side in front with six minutes on the clock, with Ben Folami striking in the 90th minute to take the game into extra-time.
 
But Lincoln hit the winner in a seesawing thriller to move Vissel into the next round, where they will join Kitchee SC from Hong Kong, Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port and hosts Chiangrai United in Group J when matches begin in Thailand on April 16.

Ulsan Hyundai defeat Port FC for group stage slot

Tue, 15 Mar, 2022

Ulsan Hyundai defeat Port FC for group stage slot

Ulsan: Two-time winners Ulsan Hyundai of Korea Republic have returned to the AFC Champions League™ group stage after overcoming Thailand’s Port FC 3-0 in the qualifying playoff on Tuesday.

Hong Myung-bo’s side went in front inside 20 minutes at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium through 19-year-old debutant Choi Gi-yun and, after withstanding some Port pressure early in the second half, substitutes Um Won-sang and Leonardo netted in the final 10 minutes to secure Ulsan's passage to the group stage.

The Horangi will now take their place in Group I alongside J1 League champions Kawasaki Frontale, China PR’s Guangzhou FC and hosts Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia.

Saudi Arabia squad announced for China PR, Australia ties

Tue, 15 Mar, 2022

Saudi Arabia squad announced for China PR, Australia ties

Riyadh: Head coach Hervé Renard has named a 26-man squad for Saudi Arabia's final two AFC Asian Qualifiers - Road to Qatar™ Group B matches against China PR and Australia.

The Saudis are currently leading Group B with 19 points from eight matches and victory against China PR on March 24 will confirm their place in the FIFA World Cup Finals for a sixth time.