Injuries, suspension cost SIPG, says Pereira

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Injuries, suspension cost SIPG, says Pereira

Saitama: Vitor Pereira was left lamenting the impact of injuries and suspension on his team as Shanghai SIPG crashed out of the quarter-finals of the 2019 AFC Champions League on Tuesday after suffering an away goals defeat at the hands of two-time champions Urawa Red Diamonds.

Urawa advanced after the two-legged meeting between the teams ended in a 3-3 draw, meaning the Japanese side progressed by virtue of the away goals rule as SIPG fell short once again in the continental championship.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/quarter-final_-_2nd_leg_urawa_red_diamonds_vs_shanghai_sipg_fc.html

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/urawa-shanghai-goal.html

Quarter-final - 2nd Leg: Urawa advance on away goals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Quarter-final - 2nd Leg: Urawa advance on away goals

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds kept their quest for a record third AFC Champions League title alive on Tuesday as Tsuyoshi Otsuki’s side progressed to the semi-finals of this year’s competition after a 1-1 draw with Shanghai SIPG secured the club’s progress to the next round on the away goals rule.

The result meant the quarter-final tie ended in a 3-3 aggregate draw and, with Urawa scoring twice in Shanghai in the first leg last month, the 2007 and 2017 champions advanced to the next round, where they will face either Kashima Antlers or Guangzhou Evergrande.

Wei Shihao worry for Guangzhou Evergrande

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Wei Shihao worry for Guangzhou Evergrande

Ibaraki: Two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande will make a last-minute decision on whether striker Wei Shihao is fit enough to start against AFC Champions League title holders Kashima Antlers in the second leg of their quarter-final in this year’s continental championship at Kashima Soccer Stadium on Wednesday.

The 24-year-old was injured in his club’s Chinese Super League defeat at the hands of Jiangsu Suning on Friday and head coach Fabio Cannavaro remains unsure whether the China international will be available for selection.

Preview - QF 2nd Leg: Kashima Antlers (0) vs (0) Guangzhou Evergrande FC

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview - QF 2nd Leg: Kashima Antlers (0) vs (0) Guangzhou Evergrande FC

Kashima: The 2019 AFC Champions League quarter-final between holders Kashima Antlers and two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande remains firmly in the balance as the sides prepare to lock horns for the second leg at Kashima Soccer Stadium on Wednesday. 

There was nothing between the teams in the first leg in China three weeks ago with defences coming out on top in a scoreless draw that sets up a potentially nervy return meeting in Japan. 

Kashima have won their past six knockout round games in front of home support, while Guangzhou have never been eliminated by Japanese opposition and overcame Wednesday’s hosts in the 2017 Round of 16.

Xavi: We had an unbelievable match

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Xavi: We had an unbelievable match

Doha: Head coach Xavi Hernandez hailed what he described was one of Al Sadd's best matches of the year after the Qatar champions advanced to the 2019 AFC Champions League semi-finals on Monday. 

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Riyadh last month, Xavi said Al Sadd produced the great performance required as the Doha-based club defeated Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr 3-1 at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium to advance to their second successive AFC Champions League semi-finals.

Vitoria: Minor details caused defeat

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Vitoria: Minor details caused defeat

Doha: Al Nassr head coach Rui Vitoria praised his players' performance but was left to rue several minor mistakes as the Saudi Arabia champions exited the 2019 AFC Champions League on Monday.

Al Nassr had gone into the return leg of the quarter-final against Al Sadd leading 2-1 from the first leg but fell 3-1 at the Jassim bin Hamad Stadium in Doha as Qatar champions Al Sadd advanced 4-3 on aggregate.