Focused approach steering Al Taawoun, says Arruabarrena

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Focused approach steering Al Taawoun, says Arruabarrena

Buraidah: Head coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena praised Al Taawoun’s ability to overcome their first half challenges to notch a 2-1 win over Bahrain’s Al Khaldiya in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 tie on Wednesday.

The win sealed Al Taawoun’s place in the knockout stage, with their superior head-to-head record against Al Khaldiya confirming a top-two finish in Group B irrespective of next week’s results.

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Sousa’s second half tinkering pays off for Shabab Al Ahli

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Sousa’s second half tinkering pays off for Shabab Al Ahli

Amman: Paulo Sousa’s bold decisions paved the way for Shabab Al Ahli’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Al Hussein, which secured their spot in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 on Wednesday.

Munas Dabbar was the hero for Shabab Al Ahli after his stoppage time lob secured the vital win which saw the UAE side assume the Group D top spot at the expense of their beaten rivals from Jordan, with both teams advancing with a match to spare.

Jovovic proud of Kuwait SC’s discipline

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Jovovic proud of Kuwait SC’s discipline

Qarshi: Head coach Nebojsa Jovovic was extremely proud of the grit and determination Kuwait SC showed in the 2-1 comeback win against PFC Nasaf in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Group D match on Wednesday.

Jovovic saw his side being dominated in the first half but two goals in eight minutes in the opening minutes after the break turned the game in Kuwait SC’s favour.

The win was, however, in vain as Shabab Al Ahli’s 3-2 victory over Al Hussein sent both Kuwait SC and Nasaf out of the competition.

Group B - MD5: Al Taawoun (KSA) 2-1 Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Group B - MD5: Al Taawoun (KSA) 2-1 Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)

Buraidah: Al Taawoun confirmed their place into the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 knockout stage after edging Bahrain’s Al Khaldiya 2-1 in their Group B tie at Wolves Park on Wednesday.

The result moved the Saudi Arabian side to 12 points, three ahead of Al Khaldiya and Iraq’s Air Force Club, but their superior head-to-head record with the Bahraini side means Al Taawoun are assured of a top two finish.  

Group B - MD5: Altyn Asyr FC (TKM) 0-2 Air Force SC (IRQ)

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Group B - MD5: Altyn Asyr FC (TKM) 0-2 Air Force SC (IRQ)

Ashgabat: Air Force Club kept their hopes of a place in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 alive on Wednesday as the Iraqi side handed Turkmenistan’s already-eliminated Altyn Asyr a 2-0 defeat in Ashgabat.

The result moves Wesam Rizik’s side onto nine points from five games and maintains their challenge for a top two finish in Group B ahead of their final group match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun in Baghdad next week.

Ahmet Atayew’s seventh minute own goal gave the visitors the lead and Hiran Azad doubled the advantage in the 31st minute as Air Force secured their third win in the group phase having also previously defeated the Yokary Liga side in September’s opening round of matches.

Asani draws inspiration from Ronaldo in Gwangju journey

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Asani draws inspiration from Ronaldo in Gwangju journey

Gwangju: Gwangju FC’s Jasir Asani is determined to emerge the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 top scorer, drawing motivation from Al Nassr Club star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Albanian striker came off the bench to make an immediate impact against Shanghai Shenhua FC on Wednesday, scoring with his first touch what proved to be the only goal of the game in the 57th minute as he took his tally to seven.

Hutchinson pleased as Marinos maintain momentum

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Hutchinson pleased as Marinos maintain momentum

Yokohama: Yokohama F. Marinos head coach John Hutchinson expressed satisfaction after his team claimed a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Pohang Steelers in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie at International Stadium on Wednesday.

The win propelled Marinos to third in the standings with 10 points, while Pohang are four adrift and remain 10th.

Milojevic confident Al Wasl will advance

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Milojevic confident Al Wasl will advance

Karbala: Al Wasl FC head coach Milos Milojevic is excited that his UAE side hold AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 progression in their own hands after Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Iraq’s Al Shorta.

The Serbian said Al Wasl were deserved winners as they took their tally to 10 points and was confident his team will join Saudi Arabian trio Al Ahli Saudi FC, Al Hilal SFC and Al Nassr Club who have already secured qualification to the next stage. 

Mixed emotions for Al Hilal’s Jesus, Al Sadd’s Sanchez

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Mixed emotions for Al Hilal’s Jesus, Al Sadd’s Sanchez

Doha: Al Hilal SFC head coach Jorge Jesus and his Al Sadd SC counterpart Felix Sanchez were left with mixed feelings after their sides battled to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

The draw was enough for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal to book their ticket to the knockout stage and left Qatar’s Al Sadd well placed to join them.

Tang’s risk taking pays off for Shandong Taishan

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Tang’s risk taking pays off for Shandong Taishan

Jinan: Tang Tian was delighted that Shandong Taishan FC pulled through their tough AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 match against Johor Darul Ta’zim with a 1-0 win on Tuesday.

Having played the Chinese FA Cup final on Saturday and Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale up next on the continental stage, the assistant head coach said player management was key given the tight schedule.

Shandong made nine changes to the side that lost to Shanghai Port FC in the cup final but still had enough to secure the win to take them to seven points.

Teamwork delivered win for Kawasaki, says Miura

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Teamwork delivered win for Kawasaki, says Miura

Buriram: Sota Miura hailed Kawasaki Frontale’s teamwork after scoring one of their three late goals in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 victory over Thailand’s Buriram United on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, Kawasaki’s perseverance paid off as goals from Miura, Daiya Tono and Soma Kanda secured the emphatic win to propel the Japanese side to nine points.

Shanghai Port fulfill Muscat’s expectations

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Shanghai Port fulfill Muscat’s expectations

Ulsan: Kevin Muscat did not hold back on his praise after Shanghai Port capped a wonderful November by defeating Ulsan HD 3-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

The win revived their knockout stage hopes and it came in a month where Shanghai Port sealed the Chinese Super League and FA Cup titles, the first time they have achieved the domestic double.