Muscat confident Port will turn things around

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Muscat confident Port will turn things around

Shanghai: Head coach Kevin Muscat retains belief that it is only a matter of time before his Shanghai Port FC side return to winning ways in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 after ending their League Stage campaign with a defeat on Wednesday.

Port lost 2-0 to Yokohama F. Marinos, the second defeat in as many weeks after the 4-0 reverse to Vissel Kobe seven days ago.

The China PR side, however, finished in eighth place to reach the knockout stage.

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MD8: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) 0-2 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

MD8: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) 0-2 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Shanghai: Yokohama F. Marinos closed out the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 with a 2-0 win over Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port at Pudong Stadium on Wednesday as new head coach Steve Holland notched up a second win in a row in the competition.

Goals from Asahi Uenaka and Jun Amano in the 64th and 69th minutes respectively sealed victory for the J1 League side although Shanghai Port will still progress to the last 16 as a result of the withdrawal of Shandong Taishan from the competition earlier in the day.

The win was the seventh in the competition for the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 runners-up, who will go into the next phase of the competition buoyed by their impressive form since Holland arrived to replace interim boss John Hutchison during the close season.

Al Taawoun's drive makes Abdali proud

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Al Taawoun's drive makes Abdali proud

Buraidah: Head coach Mohammed Al Abdali spared no praise for his Al Taawoun FC players after they sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 after an energy-sapping win against Al Wakrah SC on Wednesday.

Reduced to 10 men in the 26th minute, Al Taawoun fought back to level, were within seconds of winning at the end of extra time and then showed nerves of steel to win the penalty shootout after the return leg ended 2-2 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate.

Segecic: Sydney showed character in Bangkok triumph

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Segecic: Sydney showed character in Bangkok triumph

Pathum Thani: Adrian Segecic expressed pride after Sydney FC showed resilience to edge Bangkok United 3-2 in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 second leg tie to advance to the quarter-finals with a 5-4 aggregate score. 

Goals from Joe Lolley and Segecic followed by an extra time winner from Douglas Costa gave the Australian side victory after Bangkok had taken a 3-2 aggregate lead following Muhsen Al Ghassani's first half strike.

Skibbe delighted with Sanfrecce’s dominant show

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Skibbe delighted with Sanfrecce’s dominant show

Hiroshima: Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima displayed their title credentials after brushing aside Nam Dinh FC of Vietnam 4-0 in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Head coach Michael Skibbe noted that apart from one early chance for Nam Dinh, Sanfrecce were the better side in the tie and fully deserved to advance to the quarter-finals, as shwon by the 7-0 aggregate win.

R16: Late resurgence takes Shabab Al Ahli through

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

R16: Late resurgence takes Shabab Al Ahli through

Dubai: Shabab Al Ahli booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 on Wednesday as Paulo Sousa’s side survived a second half fightback by Al Wehdat to win 4-3 in Dubai to complete a 6-3 aggregate victory over the Jordanians.

Sardar Azmoun scored twice and also missed a penalty in a dramatic clash at Rashid Stadium as the club from the United Arab Emirates saw their 2-0 advantage from the first leg evaporate over three second minutes before a late resurgence took them through.

IR Iran’s Abdi dedicates Uzbekistan victory to compatriots

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

IR Iran’s Abdi dedicates Uzbekistan victory to compatriots

Shenzhen: Head coach Hossein Abdi dedicated Islamic Republic of Iran’s 2-1 win over Uzbekistan at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 to his compatriots.

The final Group C tie saw the four-time champions finish with a perfect nine points, scoring 11 goals and conceding only one to top their group.

Jordan stalemate a valuable lesson for Iraq, says Mohammed

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Jordan stalemate a valuable lesson for Iraq, says Mohammed

Shenzhen: Head coach Imad Mohammed was satisfied with the performance of his players despite Iraq having to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Jordan in their final AFC Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group B tie on Wednesday.

The draw meant Iraq finished second behind Saudi Arabia and will face Australia in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

Haqawi: Conceding galvanised Saudi Arabia into action

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Haqawi: Conceding galvanised Saudi Arabia into action

Shenzhen: Saad Haqawi attributed Saudi Arabia’s second half turnaround against DPR Korea in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 tie on Wednesday down to desire and determination as the West Asians topped Group B to advance to the quarter-finals.

Haqawi, who plays his club football alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, was instrumental in Saudi Arabia’s second win at China 2025 with the 19-year-old contributing a goal and an assist.