Analysis: Tactical shift helps Al Ain navigate Malkiya

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Tactical shift helps Al Ain navigate Malkiya

Al Ain: Al Ain navigated a tricky fixture against motivated minnows Malkiya to reach the AFC Champions League group stage after a 2-0 play-off win on Tuesday.

The hosts were left frustrated at the break after their 14 first-half shots failed to produce a single goal, but they ultimately reigned supreme at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium thanks to a second-half change in tactics.

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Analysis: Reysol roll into group stage

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Reysol roll into group stage

Kashiwa: Kashiwa Reysol ultimately made relatively light work of Muangthong United in their play-off stage encounter on Tuesday night, emerging as 3-0 victors at Kashiwa Soccer Stadium.

While the margin of victory was comfortable for the Japanese side in the end, the game was finely poised for long spells and on another day things could well have gone very differently.

Analysis: Tianjin advance as Modeste proves the difference 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Tianjin advance as Modeste proves the difference 

Tianjin: Tianjin Quanjian sealed their maiden appearance in the AFC Champions League with a 2-0 win over Ceres Negros, but they didn’t have it all their own way.

After their surprise 3-2 win over Brisbane Roar last week, Ceres Negros showed the win was no fluke as the side from the Philippines proved resilient opposition.

Play-off: Al Ain 2-0 Malkiya Club

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Play-off: Al Ain 2-0 Malkiya Club

Al Ain: Two second half goals helped Al Ain secure a place in the 2018 AFC Champions League group stage after defeating Bahraini club Malkiya 2-0 in the play-off.

A stubborn Malkiya side put in a spirited performance at Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain, threatening through dangerous counterattacks in the first half. Hashim Isa’s chip was denied by goalkeeper Khalid Eisa, and a header from Isa Al Bari missed the net.

Al Ain took the lead eight minutes after the break through Swedish striker Markus Berg. After a quick break from the Egyptian winger Hussein El Shahat. The new winter signing squared for Berg who finished with his left.