Olaroiu hails Sharjah’s desire and determination

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Olaroiu hails Sharjah’s desire and determination

Sharjah: Head coach Cosmin Olaroiu was unreserved in his praise for his players after Sharjah triumphed on penalties against Shabab Al Ahli in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-final on Wednesday.

The marathon match went all the way after the return leg ended 1-1 and 2-2 on aggregate, with Marcos Meloni putting Sharjah ahead before Mu’nas Dabbur’s stoppage time header took the tie into extra time and subsequently, penalties.

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Lion City have put Singapore on the map, says Rankovic

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Lion City have put Singapore on the map, says Rankovic

Singapore: Aleksandar Rankovic expressed pride after Lion City Sailors became the first Singapore side to secure a place in the AFC Champions League Two™ semi-finals following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday.

Holding a 3-0 lead from the first leg, Lion City weathered a strong challenge from the Japanese side to secure a 4-1 aggregate victory to set up a meeting with either Australia’s Sydney FC or Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC in the semi-finals. 

Penalty shootout win takes Sharjah through

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Penalty shootout win takes Sharjah through

Sharjah: Sharjah FC advanced into the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 semi-finals after defeating Shabab Al Ahli 5-4 on penalties after their quarter-final second leg tie ended 1-1 on the night after extra time and 2-2 on aggregate on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Adel Alhosani was the hero for Sharjah after he saved Kauan Santos’ penalty with the UAE side to face Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun FC in the semi-finals. 

Lion City fend off Sanfrecce to seal semi-final spot

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Lion City fend off Sanfrecce to seal semi-final spot

Singapore: Lion City Sailors marched into the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 after an engrossing 1-1 draw with Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday.

Japan's Sanfrecce, who came into the match having to overturn a 3-0 deficit, put on a strong showing but were unable to prevent the hosts walking away with a 4-1 win on aggregate.

Asani: Strong mindset took Gwangju to victory

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Asani: Strong mindset took Gwangju to victory

Gwangju: A delighted Jasir Asani praised Gwangju FC’s perseverance after the Korea Republic side defeated Japan’s Vissel Kobe to advance to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, the Albanian forward admitted that tournament debutants were under pressure but their focused mindset saw them achieving a remarkable 3-0 win, with Asani scoring twice - including a stunning winning goal deep into extra time. 

Hasebe proud as Frontale’s quality comes to the fore

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Hasebe proud as Frontale’s quality comes to the fore

Kawasaki: Head coach Higetoshi Hasebe applauded Kawasaki Frontale’s perfect performance after the Japanese side overwhelmed Shanghai Shenhua 4-0 at Todoroki Stadium to overturn a first-leg deficit and secure a place in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals.

Trailing 1-0 after the first leg, Frontale responded with a dominant display as goals from Asahi Sasaki, Erison, Tatsuya Ito and Marcinho sealed an emphatic win on Wednesday.

Al Arabi hold firm to deny Al Seeb

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Al Arabi hold firm to deny Al Seeb

Seeb: Al Arabi SC showed determination to hold Al Seeb Club to a 2-2 stalemate after extra time on Wednesday to clinch their AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 semi-final spot with a 3-2 aggregate win.

The Kuwaiti club had to show plenty of defensive resilience to fend off the Omani side’s pressure before Sofiane Bouchar struck in extra time to set up a semi-final meeting with Turkmenistan’s FC Arkadag.

Asani the star as Gwangju book ticket in stunning fashion

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Asani the star as Gwangju book ticket in stunning fashion

Gwangju: The sensational Jasir Asani scored twice as Gwangju FC advanced to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Vissel Kobe in extra time on Wednesday.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, goals from Park Jeong-in and Asani forced the quarter-final with the Albanian then sealing the comeback win with a stunning strike just before the final whistle. 

Arkadag fight back to end East Bengal's dream

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Arkadag fight back to end East Bengal's dream

Arkadag: FC Arkadag came from behind to beat East Bengal 2-1 in their AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 quarter-final second leg to advance to the semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate win on Wednesday.

Messi Bouli drew East Bengal level on aggregate in the first minute before Lalchungnunga was sent off midway through the first half with Altymyrat Annadurdyyez then settling the tie with two late goals. 

Frontale roar into quarters

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Frontale roar into quarters

Kawasaki: Kawasaki Frontale handed Shanghai Shenhua a 4-0 defeat at Todoroki Stadium on Wednesday to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 in emphatic fashion.

Goals from Asahi Sasaki, Erison, Tatsuya Ito, Marcinho sealed a comprehensive win for Shigetoshi Hasebe’s side as they completed a 4-1 aggregate victory that takes the J1 League outfit into the next round in Saudi Arabia in April.

Al Hilal’s Jesus craving for glory

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Al Hilal’s Jesus craving for glory

Riyadh: The dream to lift aloft the AFC Champions League Elite™ trophy is providing the motivation for head coach Jorge Jesus to keep pushing his Al Hilal SFC side after they recovered from a first leg defeat to advance into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate against Pakhtakor on Tuesday.

Despite an unbeaten league-winning 2023/24 season, the semi-final exit to Al Ain FC in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 is a disappointment Jesus is determined to erase as he looks to add Asian continental success to his Copa Libertadores triumph with Flamengo in 2019.