Late Kasir strike sees Persepolis edge Al Sadd to seal AFC Champions League quarter-final berth

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Late Kasir strike sees Persepolis edge Al Sadd to seal AFC Champions League quarter-final berth

Doha: Persepolis FC left it very late to defeat Al Sadd SC 1-0 in the 2020 AFC Champions League Round of 16, securing their place in the quarter-finals for the third time in four years thanks to an 88th minute Isa Al Kasir header.

The two sides had met in the semi-finals of the 2018 AFC Champions League, with Persepolis emerging 2-1 winners on aggregate to reach the final. Since then, they also exchanged wins in the 2019 group stage.

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AFC Champions League (West): Quarter-finalists confirmed

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League (West): Quarter-finalists confirmed

Doha: Persepolis FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia advanced to the 2020 AFC Champions League quarter-finals on Sunday to complete the West Zone line-up.

Persepolis, runners-up in 2018, and Al Nassr joined Al Ahli Saudi FC of Saudi Arabia and Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor, who confirmed their places on Saturday, in the West Zone quarter-finals.

The draw for the knockout stage will take place in Doha at 11:00 local time (UTC +3) on Monday.

Hamdallah stars as Al Nassr beat Al Taawoun to advance to AFC Champions League quarter-finals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hamdallah stars as Al Nassr beat Al Taawoun to advance to AFC Champions League quarter-finals

Doha: Abderrazak Hamdallah’s sixth goal of the 2020 AFC Champions League was enough to send Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr into the quarter-finals with a valuable 1-0 victory over compatriots Al Taawoun FC in the Round of 16 on Sunday.

Al Nassr were looking to make it back-to-back quarter-final appearances, while for Al Taawoun this was their first-ever AFC Champions League knock-out stage appearance.

Ceran lauds ‘history making’ Pakhtakor after AFC Champions League win over Esteghlal

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ceran lauds ‘history making’ Pakhtakor after AFC Champions League win over Esteghlal

Doha: Goals from Dragan Ceran and Erin Derdiyok helped Pakhtakor FC come back from a goal down to defeat Esteghlal FC in the 2020 AFC Champions League Round of 16 tie and reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 11 years.

It was Esteghlal who took the lead at Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday courtesy of a well-taken Ali Karimi free-kick half an hour into the game. Ceran’s diving header equalised for Pakhtakor before the break and Derdiyok sealed the win with a half-volleyed strike shortly after the restart.

Pakhtakor had scored just two goals in four group stage games since the resumption of the 2020 AFC Champions League in Qatar, with Derdiyok only scoring in the annulled 2-1 defeat to Al Hilal on Matchday Three, while Ceran’s last goal prior to Saturday dates to February, when he scored in the 2-1 opening matchday win over Shabab Al Ahli.

Al Ahli Saudi deserve their place in AFC Champions League quarter-finals, says veteran Abdulghani

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Ahli Saudi deserve their place in AFC Champions League quarter-finals, says veteran Abdulghani

Doha: Veteran defender Hussein Abdulghani said Al Ahli Saudi FC deserved to advance to the 2020 AFC Champions League quarter-finals after defeating UAE’s Shabab Al Ahli on penalties in the Round of 16 on Saturday.. 

The Saudi Pro League side drew level through an Omar Al Soma spot-kick in the 54th minute after having going behind to Azizjon Ganiev effort in the 28th minute and despite both teams having further chances, the tie ended 1-1 after 120 minutes on Saturday.

Al Ahli, however, won the penalty shootout 4-3 after Abdullah Al Naqbi skied Shabab Al Ahli’s final spot-kick at the Al Janoub Stadium.

ACL 2020 Allianz Goal of the Week: Cheick Diabate (Esteghlal FC)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

ACL 2020 Allianz Goal of the Week: Cheick Diabate (Esteghlal FC)

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com announced on Sunday that Esteghlal FC's Cheick Diabate is the winner of this week’s Goal of the Week presented by Allianz for the 2020 AFC Champions League.

AFC Champions League MD6 (WEST) Toyota Player of the Week: Mehdi Ghaedi

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Champions League MD6 (WEST) Toyota Player of the Week: Mehdi Ghaedi

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Doha: Esteghlal FC's Mehdi Ghaedi has been voted by the fans as the 2020 AFC Champions League Matchday Six Toyota Player of the Week.

Ghaedi, who shone during the Iranian side's 3-0 win over Al Ahli Saudi FC on Matchday Six, was top of OPTA's ratings after he received an impressive 8.6 rating following a goal and an assist in the comprehensive victory for the Tehran giants and the fans agreed.