West Asian teams gear up for Zonal Semi-Finals

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

West Asian teams gear up for Zonal Semi-Finals

Kuala Lumpur: Having put their respective domestic league campaigns behind them, four West Asian sides are set for the 2019 AFC Cup Zonal Semi-Finals next week.

Al Jazeera and Al Ahed are back in this stage for the second year in a row, while Al Wehdat are back at the Zonal Semi-Finals for a second time after 2017. Champions in 2004, Al Jaish have not played at this stage since its introduction two season ago.

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Fiesta of football awaits Ceres and Hanoi, says Marañón

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Fiesta of football awaits Ceres and Hanoi, says Marañón

Bacolod: 2019 AFC Cup leading scorer Bienvenido Marañón is eagerly anticipating the showdown between two of Southeast Asia's best sides when Ceres Negros host Hanoi FC in the ASEAN Zonal Semi-finals on Tuesday.

The 33-year-old Spanish striker has enjoyed another Continental campaign to remember for Filipino club Ceres improving on his Group Stage scoring tallies from the 2017 and 2018 campaigns to lead the scorers' standings with nine goals.

The-AFC.com spoke exclusively with Marañón to look ahead to the showdown with Vietnam's Hanoi FC, reflect on the tournament so far and recall past campaigns.

Persija Jakarta, head coach Ivan Kolev part ways 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Persija Jakarta, head coach Ivan Kolev part ways 

Jakarta: Persija Jakarta have announced the resignation of Ivan Kolev as the head coach of the Indonesian champions.

Persija have endured a difficult start to the season - domestic as well as international - with the club already eliminated from the 2019 AFC Cup and languishing third from bottom in the domestic league.

The Group Stage in Numbers

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

The Group Stage in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: After the conclusion of the 2019 AFC Cup group stage in the West and ASEAN, the eight Zonal semi-finalists have been confirmed ahead of June's knockout round fixtures.

While the qualification race remains ongoing in the Central, South and East Zones, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the key statistics from the six completed groups.

Analysis: Patient Binh Duong leave it late to progress

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Analysis: Patient Binh Duong leave it late to progress

Bacolod City: The remaining two places in the AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal semi-finals were decided earlier in the week and arguably the biggest story came from the Philippines, where Vietnam’s Becamex Binh Duong struck late to defeat Ceres Negros 1-0 and join their opponents in the knockout rounds. 

With the Group G game scoreless and the clock ticking down, Binh Duong were heading for elimination until Brazilian forward Wander Luiz struck a goal of the tournament contender from 40 yards that looped ove goalkeeper Roland Muller to secure their place in the next round.

AFC Cup 2019 Allianz Goal of the Week: Bruno Matos

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Cup 2019 Allianz Goal of the Week: Bruno Matos

Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com has announced that Persija Jakarta's Bruno Matos is the winner of this week’s Goal of the Week presented by Allianz for the 2019 AFC Cup after a public vote on the AFC’s official website.

Lemos hails Abihani's fighting spirit

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Lemos hails Abihani's fighting spirit

Dhaka: Abahani Limited Dhaka head coach Mario Lemos has described his team's 3-2 win over Chennaiyin in their AFC Cup Group E match as a great match for Bangladesh and the club.

Abahani showed tremendous resilience in coming from a goal down to defeat the previously unbeaten Chennaiyin on Wednesday, having also seen the Indian club hauling themselves back into the match when 2-1 down.