Ivic takes charge of Al Ain

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

Ivic takes charge of Al Ain

Al Ain: Al AIn have appointed former Watford head coach Vladimir Ivic to replace Portuguese Leonardo Jardim, the UAE Pro League side announced on Tuesday.

The move came a day after Al Ain’s 2-1 defeat against Al Rayyan in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 which meant they crashed out of the competition without registering a single win. The team also had only one victory from their last five domestic league games. 

MD7: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 4-1 Persepolis FC (IRN)

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

MD7: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 4-1 Persepolis FC (IRN)

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC reclaimed top spot in the West Zone of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 after a 4-1 win against Persepolis FC in their penultimate League Stage match on Tuesday.

Malcom inspired the Saudi Arabia side to victory with a goal and two assists as Al Hilal moved ahead of Al Ahli Saudi FC on goal difference.

As for Persepolis, the defeat saw them drop out of the top eight but the Islamic Republic of Iran side retain a chance of progressing to the knockout stage with one round of fixtures to be played.

MD7: Al Gharafa (QAT) 1-0 Pakhtakor (UZB)

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

MD7: Al Gharafa (QAT) 1-0 Pakhtakor (UZB)

Al Rayyan: Al Gharafa climbed into the qualification slots for the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday as Pedro Martins’ side handed Pakhtakor a 1-0 defeat in Doha.

The Qatar Stars League side moved onto seven points from seven games after Ferjani Sassi’s 39th minute goal earned his club their second win of the campaign while Pakhtakor’s chances suffered a significant blow.

The club from Uzbekistan remain on four points with one round remaining, when Pakhtakor will face Al Sadd SC from Qatar in Tashkent on February 17.

Pioli praises Al Nassr’s depth; Milojevic rues Al Wasl’s missed chances

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Pioli praises Al Nassr’s depth; Milojevic rues Al Wasl’s missed chances

Riyadh: Head coach Stefano Pioli applauded Al Nassr Club’s performance in their emphatic 4-0 win over Al Wasl of UAE in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 at Al Awwal Park on Monday.

Ali Alhassan opened the scoring for the Saudi Pro League side with a spectacular strike before Cristiano Ronaldo, who celebrates his 40th birthday on Wednesday, netted a double with substitute Mohammed Al Fatil adding the fourth late in the game.

Jaissle hails Al Ahli’s tactical brilliance; Al Sadd’s Sanchez left searching for answers

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Jaissle hails Al Ahli’s tactical brilliance; Al Sadd’s Sanchez left searching for answers

Doha: Al Ahli Saudi showcased their title ambitions with a resounding 3-1 victory over Qatar’s Al Sadd in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Monday, leaving head coach Matthias Jaissle purring.

Despite falling behind to an Akram Afif lob early in the game, Al Ahli responded in style - drawing level through Roberto Firmino’s overhead kick before goals from Roger Ibanez and Riyad Mahrez ensured the Saudi Pro League side maintained their unbeaten run.

Esteghal’s Bakhtiarizadeh, Al Shorta’s Alwan satisfied despite stalemate

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Esteghal’s Bakhtiarizadeh, Al Shorta’s Alwan satisfied despite stalemate

Tehran: It was a result which neither desired but Esteghal head coach Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh and his Al Shorta counterpart Salah Alwan didn’t have too many complaints after their sides settled for a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Monday.

The draw left both in danger of missing out on the knockout stage, with Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal on six points with a match remaining while Al Shorta of Iraq only have three on the board. 

Jorge delighted as Al Rayyan stay in the hunt

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Jorge delighted as Al Rayyan stay in the hunt

Al Ain: Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC took a huge step towards the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage after an inspired second half performance saw them oust Al Ain FC 2-1 on Monday.

The win took Al Rayyan up to eight points with head coach Artur Jorge impressed by the recovery shown by his side as he eyes a spot in the last 16.

Al Tamari joins Furuhashi at Rennes; Dabbagh inks deal with Aberdeen

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Al Tamari joins Furuhashi at Rennes; Dabbagh inks deal with Aberdeen

Kuala Lumpur: Mousa Al Tamari completed a transfer from Montpellier to Rennes on Monday,  as Europe's transfer window closed.

Al Tamari was among several Asian stars completing last-minute moves with the Jordan star forward being Rennes' sixth signing of the window.

Europe Wrap: Son, Maeda shine for Spurs, Celtic

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Europe Wrap: Son, Maeda shine for Spurs, Celtic

Kuala Lumpur: Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min and Celtic’s Daizen Maeda took the spotlight as both played major parts in helping their clubs to victory in the English Premier League and Scottish Premiership respectively. 

Australia’s Nectarios Triantis, Uzbekistan’s international captain Eldor Shomurodov and Japanese Under-19 international Kento Shiogai also helped themselves to goals across the continent.
 
Follow the-AFC.com as we look at what the Asian contingent has been up to in Europe this past week.