Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Guangzhou Evergrander's Alan has been named the Toyota Player of the Week for Matchday Six of the 2018 AFC Champions League.
A superb performance from Emirati goalkeeper Ali Khaseif in Al Jazira's 1-1 away draw with Islamic Republic of Iran's Tractorsazi Tabriz in their Group A Matchday Four clash on Tuesday saw the custodian pick up the week's top player plaudit.
The UAE international pulled off an impressive eight saves to keep his side in the match after Romarinho had given the visitors an early lead. Despite home side Tractorsazi having over 15 efforts on goal, they only a single goal in response through Farzad Hatami with 12 minutes remaining.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tabriz: Islamic Republic of Iran's Tractorsazi Tabriz continued their winless run after drawing 1-1 at home with Al Jazira of the UAE in their 2018 AFC Champions League Group A fixture on Tuesday.
Tractorsazi started brightly and had a number of opportunities to go ahead in the first half, but were denied a goal by some stellar goalkeeping by Al Jazira's Ali Khaseif.
While the hosts enjoyed clear domination, it was Al Jazira who opened the scoring against the run of play, in the 44th minute. Brazilian star Romarinho latched on to an aerial pass from defender Musallam Fayez and slotted in the first goal of the match.
After the restart, Tractorsazi emerged with renewed vigour and urgency but they were let down once again by a combination of poor finishing and Khaseif's continued brilliance. Ehsan Pahlevan, in particular, had a glorious chance after going one-on-one with the Emirati goalkeeper but skewed his shot just wide of the right post.
Ertugrul Saglam's men did not lose hope, though, and their perseverance finally paid off in the 78th minute, when Farzad Hatami headed in Pahlevan's cross to equalise. The final few minutes saw Tractorsazi bombard the Al Jazira box in search of a winner but the visitors held on to secure a point.
The result leaves Tractorsazi on the brink of elimination, as they sit at the bottom of Group A with two points after four games. Al Jazira, on the other hand, have a tally of five points and remain in contention alongside Al Ahli and Al Gharafa.
Both teams will be on the road for Matchday Five, as Al Jazira play Al Gharafa in Doha while Tractorsazi face Al Ahli away.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: An incredible week of AFC Champions League action offered drama across the continent.
As the competition takes a three-week break, join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the week in numbers.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Abu Dhabi: Mourad Batna bagged a goal and an assist as UAE's Al Wahda defeated Islamic Republic of Iran's Zobahan 3-0 on Matchday Four of the AFC Champions League Group B on Monday.
Al Wahda started on the front foot as Batna's shot in the fourth minute went just wide off the left post. Zobahan responded through Seyed Hosseini whose shot was saved by goalkeeper Rashed Ali.
Sebastian Tagliabue put the home side in front in the dying moments of the first half, sweeping home from Balazs Dzsudzsak's deftly executed free-kick.
Just 12 minutes after the restart, Batna extended Al Wahda's lead as his curled shot from the edge of the box found the back of Zobahan's net, making it 2-0.
In the 65th minute, Mohamed Al Akbari rounded the scoring for the Emiratis after calmly converting Batna's ground cross. Al Wahda maintained composure and an organised defence until the referee blew the full time whistle.
Despite the win, Al Wahda remain in Group B's last spot with three points ahead of a trip to Tashkent to face Lokomotiv, while Zobahan stay second with six points and will face Al Duhail in Matchday Five.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Hong Kong: The 20-year-old match-winner reflects on a magical night of AFC Champions League football after his side's 1-0 over Japan's Kashiwa Reysol secured Hong Kong's first-ever victory in the competition.
Football history was made at Hong Kong Stadium on Wednesday night in the most dramatic fashion. Deadlocked in a goalless stalemate, Kitchee had failed to break down a Kashiwa side that had been reduced to 10 men since the 15th minute.
Indeed, the Japanese side had gone close to scoring through Brazilian duo Ramon Lopes and Cristiano, while Kitchee's best chances had often come from distance. But there was to be a moment of magic that turned the tie on its head, and write a new chapter for Hong Kong football.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Suwon: Montenegrin Dejan Damjanovic completed yet another milestone in his storied career in Asia, when the striker scored his 30th goal in the AFC Champions League against Shanghai Shenhua to become second all-time scorer in the tournament.
Unquestionably one of the most prolific players to participate in the AFC Champions League since the tournament revamp in 2002-2003, made more history on March 13 when Suwon Samsung Bluewings forward Damjanovic fired in his third goal of the 2018 campaign.
Not only did the strike end the deadlock with China's Shanghai Shenhua and pave the way to a 2-0 win that keeps the Koreans firmly on track for a place in the Round of 16, but it was the 36-year-old's 30th goal in the AFC Champions League, leaving him out alone in second place on the all-time scorers list.
The-AFC.com caught up with the former Montenegro international to reflect on his achievements so far.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Al Ain: Omar Abdulrahman has insisted that Al Ain were not just facing 11 Esteghlal players in Monday’s AFC Champions League Group D clash, but also up against the 90,000 supporters crammed into Azadi Stadium.
As ever in Tehran, the competition sparked fever pitch as fans of the Islamic Republic of Iran giants turned up in the tens of thousands to witness the 1-1 draw between two-time continental champions Esteghlal and inaugural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain.
Mame Baba Thiam put the hosts a goal up from the spot just before half-time before Tsukasa Shiotani levelled with 12 minutes to play as Esteghlal remained top of the standings, two points ahead of third-place Al Ain who have drawn four from four.