Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The four semi-finalists at the 2018 AFC Champions League will be confirmed in the coming days, with the second legs of the quarter-finals to take place between Monday and Wednesday.
Al Sadd, Al Duhail, Kashima Antlers and Suwon Samsung Bluewings are well placed ahead of the fixtures, but there remains all to play for as Esteghlal, Persepolis, Tianjin Quanjian and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors look to come back from first-leg deficits.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tianjin: Goalkeeper and captain Zhang Lu is adamant that Tianjian Quanjian can overcome a 2-0 deficit and advance to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League ahead of Tuesday's quarter-final second leg clash with Kashima Antlers.
The custodian does not have to look far for inspiration, either.
Only last year, ties involving clubs from China and Japan in the AFC Champions League saw a series of extraordinary come-from-behind matches.
Urawa Red Diamonds overcame a 3-1 first leg defeat to win 5-4 on aggregate over Kawasaki Frontale, while Guangzhou Evergrande turned around a 4-0 first leg deficit only to lose on penalties.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kashima: Japanese star Atsuto Uchida is determined to make up for past regrets and help Kashima Antlers go all the way in the 2018 AFC Champions League ahead of next week's quarter-final second leg clash with Tianjin Quanjian.
Now a veteran with over 70 international caps and seven and a half years in Germany, Uchida was just 20-year-old when Kashima Antlers reached the AFC Champions League quarter-finals for their first and, until this year, only time.
That last eight encounter, against Australia's Adelaide United, ended in a disappointing 2-1 aggregate elimination for the J.League club, but now, a decade later, Uchida and Kashima have the chance to go at least one better.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Following nine consecutive victories in the AFC Champions League, Al Duhail are on par with Ulsan Hyundai and one step away from writing history, join the-AFC.com as we summon up the winning streaks of the two giants.
Ulsan Hyundai recorded a historic run of nine successive wins in the AFC Champions League six years ago and ended up taking the title home.
Now Al Duhail have matched the high of the Korean side, yet the teams took different paths in setting their records, and the Qatari club could well go on and extend their run.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Persepolis midfielder Bashar Resan has warned Al Duhail that they face a “difficult” task to advance to the AFC Champions League semi-finals ahead of the second leg of the quarter-finals at Azadi Stadium next Monday.
Al Duhail travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran with a slender lead after Almoez Ali’s first-leg goal was enough to secure a 1-0 victory and a record-equaling ninth successive win in the competition for the Qatari side.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Winning a first leg does not always mean a straight route to the next round, and the AFC Champions League quarter-finals have seen some memorable comebacks over the years.
The first leg of the 2018 AFC Champions League quarter-finals produced two wins for the home sides and as many for visitors. But the competition's history shows the four winners there can be no room for complacency following a first leg victory.
The quarter-finals were introduced in the AFC Champions League back in 2004, and since then we have witnessed some iconic returns after disappointing first leg ties, the-AFC.com recalls three extraordinary comebacks ahead of the second legs.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Al Sadd captain Xavi Hernandez believes that his side have taken an important step towards the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League, following the 3-1 win away victory over Esteghlal in the first leg of the quarter-finals.
Speaking exclusively to the-AFC.com, Xavi expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance at the Azadi Stadium, adding that Al Sadd were much better than their hosts.
"I think we did well but there's one more game," said the 38-year-old World Cup winner. "It could be just 90 minutes or it could even go to extra time. We don't know; in football, we never know.
"At least, we did a really good job in Tehran. It was a very good performance and I think we were much better than Esteghlal, especially in the second half. Also, in the first half, we could have scored at least one goal."