Oliveira powers Japan past Angola in FIFA Futsal World Cup opener

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Oliveira powers Japan past Angola in FIFA Futsal World Cup opener

Klaipėda: Japan kicked off their FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 Group E campaign with a thrilling 8-4 win over Angola at the Klaipėda Arena on Tuesday. 

The win is a boost to Japan in their bid to advance to the knockout stage with the East Asians to face Spain, who defeated Paraguay 4-0 earlier, next on Friday.

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IR Iran get FIFA Futsal World Cup campaign off to a flying start with win over Serbia

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

IR Iran get FIFA Futsal World Cup campaign off to a flying start with win over Serbia

Vilnius: Islamic Republic of Iran opened their FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 campaign brightly with a 3-2 win over Serbia in Group F at the Vilnius Arena on Tuesday.

IR Iran, seeking to emulate if not better their third-placed finish in the 2016 edition, were always on the front foot against Serbia and will now aim to make it two wins in a row when they play the United States on Sunday.

Hat-trick hero Swierczok steers Nagoya Grampus past Daegu in AFC Champions League classic

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Hat-trick hero Swierczok steers Nagoya Grampus past Daegu in AFC Champions League classic

Toyota City: Polish striker Jakub Swierczok hit a stunning hat-trick to take Nagoya Grampus into the quarter-finals of the 2021 AFC Champions League on Tuesday as the J-League side fought back against a determined Daegu FC to record a 4-2 win at City of Toyota Stadium.

First half goals from Brazilians Cesinha and Edgar Silva looked set to take Daegu into Friday’s draw for the last eight, but the powerful Pole had other ideas as he almost single-handedly dragged the Japanese side past the K-League club.

 Having netted in the 12th minute to cancel out Cesinha’s opener, Swierczok struck twice in two second half minutes to give the Japanese side the lead after Edgar Silva’s earlier header, while Nagoya captain Shinnosuke Nakatani put the result beyond doubt 11 minutes from time.

Ulsan Hyundai edge Kawasaki Frontale on penalties to advance to 2021 AFC Champions League last eight stage

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Ulsan Hyundai edge Kawasaki Frontale on penalties to advance to 2021 AFC Champions League last eight stage

Ulsan: Defending champions Ulsan Hyundai squeezed into the quarter-finals of 2021 AFC Champions League on Tuesday evening as Hong Myung-bo’s side had goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo to thank for securing a 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale.

After 120 scoreless minutes, a dramatic spot-kick competition saw Ulsan advance when Yoon Bit-garam netted the final penalty after Jo had saved Akihiro Ienaga’s attempt. 

The outcome of the game hung in the balance throughout penalties, with Kawasaki’s Tatsuya Hasegawa firing over the bar before Won Du-jae followed suit for Ulsan and Jung Sung-ryong saved from Lee Dong-jun. 

But Joao Schmidt shot off target for Kawasaki in the third round and Jo’s save of Ienaga’s effort – diving to his left to deny the veteran midfielder – set up Yoon to win the game and keep Ulsan’s hopes of back-to-back titles alive.

Aboubakar stars as Al Nassr defeat Tractor FC to keep AFC Champions League dream alive

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Aboubakar stars as Al Nassr defeat Tractor FC to keep AFC Champions League dream alive

Doha: Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr beat Islamic Republic of Iran's Tractor FC 1-0 in the 2021 AFC Champions League Round of 16 to continue their charge towards a first title in the competition.

The Saudi Pro League side join fellow Riyadh side Al Hilal SFC, Islamic Republic of Iran’s Persepolis FC and Al Wahda FSCC in the West Zone’s quarter-finals, with the draw to be held on Friday.

Persepolis' Torabi strikes late winner as Istiklol's AFC Champions League run ends

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Persepolis' Torabi strikes late winner as Istiklol's AFC Champions League run ends

Dushanbe: A 90th-minute winner from Mahdi Torabi gave Persepolis FC a 1-0 victory over tournament debutants FC Istiklol in their 2021 AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash at Republican Central Stadium on Tuesday.

With the match seemingly destined to go to extra-time, Torabi floated a speculative effort into teenage goalkeeper Mukhriddin Hasanov’s top corner, sending the 2020 runners-up to the last eight for the fourth time in five seasons.
Torabi’s decisive strike ended a highly impressive maiden AFC Champions League campaign from Istiklol, who became the first team from Tajikistan to reach the tournament’s knockout stage.

Jardim hails resilient Al Hilal, Majidi rues Esteghlal’s AFC Champions League exit

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Jardim hails resilient Al Hilal, Majidi rues Esteghlal’s AFC Champions League exit

Dubai: It looked like a comfortable victory in the end, but head coach Leonardo Jardim said Al Hilal SFC had to work hard for their 2021 AFC Champions League Round of 16 win against Esteghlal FC at the Al Wasl Stadium on Tuesday.

Goals from Bafetimbi Gomis and Salem Al Dawsari secured the 2019 champions a place in the quarter-finals for the fifth time in eight editions. 

Esteghlal, however, were not without chances and the complexion of the match may well have changed had the Islamic Republic of Iran Club pulled one back.