Japan legend Inamoto retires

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Japan legend Inamoto retires

Tokyo: Junichi Inamoto announced his retirement aged 45 on Wednesday, ending a career that saw the midfielder become the first Japanese player to appear in the English Premier League.

Inamoto joined Arsenal in 2001 but had to wait until moving to Fulham a year later before he made his debut in England's top flight, where he also played for West Bromwich Albion.

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Cast set for Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round draw

Fri, 29 Nov, 2024

Cast set for Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round draw

Kuala Lumpur: The stage for the third and final round of qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ will be set at the Qualifiers Draw ceremony on Monday, December 9 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Six berths remain to be clinched and the 24-strong cast will be divided equally into six groups to do battle starting from March 2025, with only the group winners progressing to the 19th edition of Asia’s crown jewel.

Jesus content as Al Hilal continue to cruise

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Jesus content as Al Hilal continue to cruise

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC's stellar campaign in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 continued unabated after a 3-0 success against Al Gharafa on Tuesday, a performance which delighted head coach Jorge Jesus.

Marcos Leonardo put the Saudi Arabian side ahead in the 18th minute but Jesus’ charges had to be patient as Al Gharafa goalkeeper Sergio Rico denied them several times before a blitz towards the end confirmed the win.

Al Ain's Jardim rues missed opportunity; Pakhtakor leave Shatskykh upbeat

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Al Ain's Jardim rues missed opportunity; Pakhtakor leave Shatskykh upbeat

Tashkent: Head coach Leonardo Jardim was left counting the cost of the 1-1 draw between his Al Ain FC and Pakhtakor in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 which took qualification out of their hands.

Despite the second half improvements, Jardim felt his side didn’t compete sufficiently and with only two points collected thus far, the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 winners are in danger of missing out on the knockout stage.

Mixed emotions for JDT’s Bidoglio, Buriram’s Loss after stalemate

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Mixed emotions for JDT’s Bidoglio, Buriram’s Loss after stalemate

Johor Bahru: Johor Darul Ta’zim head coach Hector Bidoglio emphasised the need for more hard work and improvement to bolster the Malaysian side’s bid to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage following their 0-0 draw against Thailand’s Buriram United on Tuesday.

The stalemate took both teams to eight points, maintaining their hopes of progression to the next round.

Park applauds Pohang’s strong mindset

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Park applauds Pohang’s strong mindset

Pohang: Pohang Steelers head coach Park Tae-ha hailed his team’s work ethic after their 3-1 win over Japan’s Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

The K League 1 side achieved victory with two goals in a blistering seven-minute spell in the first half which kept them firmly in contention for a spot in the knockout stage.

Marinos’ Hutchinson celebrates return; Mariners disappoint Jackson

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Marinos’ Hutchinson celebrates return; Mariners disappoint Jackson

Gosford: Interim head coach John Hutchinson celebrated an emotional homecoming after guiding Yokohama F. Marinos to a commanding 4-0 win over Australia’s Central Coast Mariners in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Kenta Inoue scored an early brace and Anderson Lopes made it three before a dazzling free-kick from Jun Amano put an exclamation point on Yokohama’s dominant performance.

Sanchez revels in Al Sadd’s tactical masterclass

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Sanchez revels in Al Sadd’s tactical masterclass

Riyadh: Al Sadd head coach Felix Sanchez lauded his team’s grit after a last-gasp penalty sealed a thrilling 2-1 win over Al Nassr Club on Monday, securing the Qatari side’s spot in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

Al Nassr cancelled out Akram Afif’s opener through Romain Saiss’ own goal before the AFC Asian Player of the Year drew a foul in stoppage time with Adam Ounas converting from the spot.

Jaissle pleased as Al Ahli pass stiff Esteghlal test

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Jaissle pleased as Al Ahli pass stiff Esteghlal test

Jeddah: Their winning run may have been halted but head coach Matthias Jaissle was delighted that Al Ahli Saudi FC fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie against Esteghlal on Monday.

Having already confirmed their knockout stage spot on Matchday Five, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli had to claw back twice against their opponents from the Islamic Republic of Iran with Jaissle taking home the positives.

Milojevic, Ali accept Al Wasl-Al Rayyan stalemate

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Milojevic, Ali accept Al Wasl-Al Rayyan stalemate

Dubai: Al Wasl FC’s Milos Milojevic and Younes Ali of Al Rayyan SC were satisfied after their teams played to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 clash on Monday.

Milojevic admitted the stalemate was a fair result despite Al Wasl being five minutes away from achieving a win that would have sealed their knockout stage spot.

Garrido hails Persepolis’ indomitable spirit

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Garrido hails Persepolis’ indomitable spirit

Doha: Juan Carlos Garrido was extremely proud after Persepolis FC revived their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage hopes with a 2-1 win against Iraq’s Al Shorta on Monday.

The Islamic Republic of Iran side showed grit and determination to defeat Al Shorta, drawing level in the 89th minute and then proceeding to score the winner through Giorgi Gvelesiani deep in stoppage time to move up to six points with two matches remaining.