Al Ittihad cruise past Auckland City

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Al Ittihad cruise past Auckland City

Jeddah: Al Ittihad started their FIFA Club World Cup Saudi Arabia 2023 campaign in style, brushing aside New Zealand’s Auckland City FC 3-0 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

With the victory, Al Ittihad set up a clash with record African champions Al Ahly of Egypt at the same ground on Friday.

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Group H: Ventforet edge Buriram to create history

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Group H: Ventforet edge Buriram to create history

Buriram: Japanese second division side Ventforet Kofu created history on Tuesday by progressing to the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 after they defeated Thailand’s Buriram United 3-2 in their final Group H fixture. 

Motoki Hasegawa gave Ventforet the opening goal in the 22nd minute at Buriram Stadium before Peter Utaka struck twice to give the visiting side the comfort of a 3-0 advantage at the interval. 

Substitute Arthit Boodjinda reduced the deficit for the hosts three minutes after the restart before Goran Causic’s penalty in the 55th minute made for a nervy finish, but Ventforet held on to become the first second division side to advance to the knockout stage of the continental showpiece. 

Group H: Melbourne suffer setback after Zhejiang stalemate

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Group H: Melbourne suffer setback after Zhejiang stalemate

Melbourne: A late goal from Nyasha Mushekwi saw Zhejiang FC grab a last gasp 1-1 draw at Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 in the final Group H tie at Princes Park on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, German midfielder Tolgay Arslan opened the scoring shortly before the hour before Mushekwi’s stoppage time leveller for the Chinese club. A dramatic conclusion to the tie also saw Zhejiang down to 10-men after Wang Dongsheng’s dismissal.

Group I: Ulsan through after draw with Kawasaki

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Group I: Ulsan through after draw with Kawasaki

Ulsan: Martin Adam scored twice as Ulsan Hyundai came back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw with a much-changed Kawasaki Frontale at Ulsan Munsu Stadium as Hong Myung-bo’s side squeezed into the last 16 of the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 on Tuesday.

Daiya Tono and Tatsuki Seko had given Kawasaki, who had already sealed top spot in Group I, a two-goal lead by the 31st minute but Adam reduced the deficit from close range in the 44th minute before equalising with a penalty eight minutes into the second half.

The result ended Kawasaki’s run of consecutive wins in this year’s competition while Ulsan moved onto 10 points from their six games to claim one of the three best runners-up berths in the Round of 16 following Melbourne City’s earlier draw with Zhejiang FC.

Group I: Johor Darul Ta’zim turn on the style

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Group I: Johor Darul Ta’zim turn on the style

Johor Bahru: A Bergson da Silva brace inspired Johor Darul Ta'zim to a 4-1 comeback win over Thailand's BG Pathum United in their final Group I match in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday.

The result meant that JDT ended their campaign with nine points while BG Pathum finished with six defeats.

Group A: Al Ahed fight back to advance

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Group A: Al Ahed fight back to advance

Muscat: Al Ahed came from behind to defeat Al Futuwa 2-1 in the final matchday of Group A of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 at Seeb International Stadium on Tuesday.

The win takes Al Ahed to six points in second place, with the 2019 AFC Cup winners advancing to the West Zonal semi-finals as the best-placed runners-up. 

Group C: Al Arabi end campaign with win

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Group C: Al Arabi end campaign with win

Kuwait City: Al Arabi edged Nejmeh SC of Lebanon 2-1 to end their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Group C campaign on a high note at the Jaber Al Ahmad International Stadium on Tuesday.

The win, however, was not enough for the Kuwait side to advance to the knockout stage while Nejmeh ended their challenge with just a point. 

Group C: Al Zawraa finish on a positive note

Wed, 13 Dec, 2023

Group C: Al Zawraa finish on a positive note

Basra: Al Zawraa SC came from behind to beat Al Riffa SC 2-1 as Group C of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 concluded at the Basra Sport City Stadium on Tuesday.

The result sees the Iraqi side finishing second in Group C with 11 points but not enough to take the best West Zone runners-up berth with Lebanon's Al Ahed FC securing the final ticket to the West Zonal semi-finals.