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.
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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
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: Karim Boudiaf impressed in Qatar's 3-0 win over Palestine in an international friendly on Tuesday and that is good news for Al Duhail ahead of their 2018 AFC Champions League quarter-final return leg against Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis on Monday.
Midfielder Boudiaf missed the first leg, which Al Duhail won 1-0, and the skipper's return from knee surgery is just what the Qatar club need in what is sure to be a massive test for them in the imposing Azadi Stadium.
Al Duhail are chasing an AFC Champions League record of 10 consecutive wins but in Persepolis, they will face a side who have a perfect record of four home wins in the Continent's premier club tournament this season.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: Baghdad Bounedjah's brace in the AFC Champions League quarter-final first leg against Esteghlal took him to 11 goals for the 2018 edition, just two off the record. We look back at the four men still ahead of the Algerian and those still in the hunt.
When Dalian Shide's Hao Haidong was crowned the first top scorer of the AFC Champions League era in 2003, few might have expected it would take six years before anyone could break his record of nine goals in a single tournament.
In 2009, Leandro's Gamba Osaka was the first to do so by getting into double digits, with his tally being surpassed by five other men since.
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."