AFC Champions League 2020 - Daily news brief

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League 2020 - Daily news brief

Doha: The group stage is done and dusted in the AFC Champions League with eight teams advancing to the knockout stage after a gripping two weeks in Doha, and we’ve got all the latest news in one place.

In today’s round-up, all the reaction after Persepolis and Al Taawoun charge into the Round of 16 with crucial wins, the key players to watch in the business end of the competition, and your chance to vote for your TOYOTA Player of the Week and Allianz Goal of the Week.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/persepolis_fc_irn_vs_sharjah_fc_uae.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/al_taawoun_vs_al_duhail-acl2020.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/sepahan-acl2020_2.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/dsc_1346.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/acl2020_-_top_attacking_players.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/mehdi_ghaedi_right_shows_his_joy_after_opening_the_scoring_for_esteghlal_fc_against_al_ahli_saudi_fc_on_wednesday.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/ro16_slider_matchups_7.html

Central Asia Domestic Wrap: Ravshan into Tajikistan Cup final, Istiklol seal league title

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Central Asia Domestic Wrap: Ravshan into Tajikistan Cup final, Istiklol seal league title

Bishkek: A Cup run for the ages by Ravshan Kulob and another title victory for Istiklol made it a memorable week in Tajikistan, while the championship race remains wide open in Kyrgyz Republic.

Also this week, AGMK and Nasaf secure key wins in Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan’s football authorities set return dates for the country’s League and Cup competitions.

Join the-AFC.com for all the key news and results from Kulob to Kant.

Japan's Vissel Kobe name Miura new head coach

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Japan's Vissel Kobe name Miura new head coach

Kobe: Former Japan international Atsuhiro Miura has been named the new head coach of 2020 AFC Champions League participants Vissel Kobe, the club announced on Thursday.

Miura replaces Thorsten Fink at the helm after the German parted company with the club on Tuesday and the 46-year-old will be charged with turning around Vissel’s poor form.

Japan's 'King Kazu' breaks records again in J-League match

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Japan's 'King Kazu' breaks records again in J-League match

Tokyo: Japan's 53-year-old footballing golden oldie Kazuyoshi Miura, better known as King Kazu, won plaudits on Thursday for his latest record-setting appearance, but said he was disappointed he didn't score.

Miura made history on Wednesday night in Yokohama FC's game against Kawasaki Frontale, when he became the oldest J-League first division starter in history.

Esteghlal turn on the style to reach last 16 of AFC Champions League

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Esteghlal turn on the style to reach last 16 of AFC Champions League

Doha: After picking up just two points from their first three games, Esteghlal hit form when it mattered most as a comfortable 3-0 victory over Al Ahli Saudi on Wednesday secured second place in Group A.

The Iranian giants went into the game against group winners Al Ahli knowing that a win by any other scoreline aside from 1-0 would guarantee their progression into the knockout stages ahead of Iraq's Al Shorta.

Dominant from the off, there seemed little doubt after Esteghlal took the lead just before the half hour and, 3-0 up before the 60-minute mark, Majid Namjoo-Motlagh's side ultimately cruised into the last 16.

Pakhtakor's Huistra gears up for 'three' AFC Champions League finals ahead

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Pakhtakor's Huistra gears up for 'three' AFC Champions League finals ahead

Doha: Pakhtakor FC returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Shahr Khodro on Matchday Six of the 2020 AFC Champions League Group B on Wednesday.

Under the guidance of assistant coach Pieter Huistra, the Uzbek champions secured their first win since Matchday Two thanks to a second-half Jaloliddin Masharipov strike to progress as group leaders ahead of Shabab Al Ahli Dubai FC.

Pakhtakor play Islamic Republic of Iran's Esteghlal FC in the Round of 16 on Saturday, in what will be their first AFC Champions League knockout stage appearance in a decade.

Al Soma urges Al Ahli Saudi to forget Esteghlal defeat, focus on AFC Champions League Round of 16 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Soma urges Al Ahli Saudi to forget Esteghlal defeat, focus on AFC Champions League Round of 16 

Doha: Captain Omar Al Soma said Al Ahli Saudi FC must quickly forget Wednesday's 3-0 defeat to Esteghlal FC in the 2020 AFC Champions League and focus on the Round of 16.

The Jeddah giants went into the match with their place in the knockout stage already secured but were undone by goals from Mehdi Ghaedi, Ali Karimi and Cheick Diabaté as the Islamic Republic of Iran club joined them in advancing from Group A.

Despite the defeat, the Saudi Arabia Pro League side finished top of Group A and will play Group B runners-up Shabab Al Ahli Dubai while Esteghlal will face Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor.