ASEAN and East Asia Wrap: Victory set club record to close in on fellow Melbourne sides

Mon, 25 Apr, 2022

ASEAN and East Asia Wrap: Victory set club record to close in on fellow Melbourne sides

Kuala Lumpur: Melbourne Victory posted a club record 12th game unbeaten by defeating Macarthur FC 4-1 on Friday to keep alive their chances of catching city rivals Melbourne City and Western United at the top of the A-League.

Muangthong United’s win over Bangkok United means a thrilling race for third place in Thailand looks set to go down to the wire, while Sabah denied Kedah the chance to go top in Malaysia and there was J.League Cup action in Japan. 

Elsewhere, there were games in Cambodia, Laos, Macau and Mongolia, so join the-AFC.com as we look back on the weekend’s fixtures from across ASEAN and East Asia. 

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

Mon, 25 Apr, 2022

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

Johor Bahru: Kawasaki Frontale reaffirmed their status as amongst the powerhouses in this season’s AFC Champions League™ after defeating Johor Darul Ta'zim 5-0 in Sunday’s Group I Matchday Four battle at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium. 

A clinical brace from Yu Kobayashi and goals by Yasuto Wakizaka, Chanathip Songkrasin  and Marchinho guided the reigning J1 League champions to a crucial victory in advancing their Round of 16 ambitions as Toru Oniki’s men leapt over their Malaysian opponents to take top spot in the group.

Group F: Lion City Sailors beat Shandong Taishan to stay in the race

Mon, 25 Apr, 2022

Group F: Lion City Sailors beat Shandong Taishan to stay in the race

Buriram: Lion City Sailors placed themselves very much in the mix for a place in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Round of 16 with a 3-2 win over Shandong Taishan FC in Group F on Sunday.

The win took the Singapore side to seven points - the same as Daegu FC and Urawa Red Diamonds - with two matches to play. Korea Republic's Daegu and Urawa Reds of Japan played to a 0-0 draw earlier on Sunday.

Group G: BG Pathum United breeze past United City

Mon, 25 Apr, 2022

Group G: BG Pathum United breeze past United City

Pathum Thani: BG Pathum United continued their march to the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Round of 16, sealing a 3-1 win over struggling United City FC at Pathum Thani Stadium on Sunday.

Player of the Match Ikhsan Fandi bagged a brace after Diogo Luis Santo opened the scoring for the Thai League outfit in a blistering first half, with Mark Hartmann pulling a goal back for the gallant visitors with just over 10 minutes remaining.
 
While the Rabbits sit two points ahead of Melbourne City on top of Group G, United City’s fourth successive defeat means their knockout hopes have officially been dashed, with the Filipino side - while improved from Thursday’s 5-0 defeat to BG Pathum - to play for pride only in their two remaining fixtures.

Group G: Late drama sees Jeonnam Dragons, Melbourne City share points

Mon, 25 Apr, 2022

Group G: Late drama sees Jeonnam Dragons, Melbourne City share points

Pathum Thani: Two goals in the dying minutes meant Melbourne City and Jeonnam Dragons shared the spoils in a dramatic AFC Champions League™ 2022 clash at Pathum Thani Stadium on Sunday.

City’s front man Jamie Maclaren emerged to drive home the would-be winner with three minutes remaining, but Jeonnam snatched an injury time equaliser through substitute Nika Kacharava to keep their slim knockout stage hopes alive.
 
With four points from as many matches, Jeonnam however are unlikely to progress, with their fate no longer within their direct control after drawing a match head coach Jeon Kyeong-joon had declared a must-win.

Group F: Urawa Red Diamonds, Daegu battle to a stalemate

Mon, 25 Apr, 2022

Group F: Urawa Red Diamonds, Daegu battle to a stalemate

Buriram: Urawa Red Diamonds and Daegu FC settled for a share of the points after playing to a 0-0 draw on Matchday Five of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group F on Saturday. 

The result was a blow to Urawa, who had hoped to redeem themselves after having lost 1-0 to the Japanese in the reverse fixture three days ago.

Group I: Ulsan Hyundai defeat Guangzhou to maintain pressure on rivals

Mon, 25 Apr, 2022

Group I: Ulsan Hyundai defeat Guangzhou to maintain pressure on rivals

Johor Bahru: Ulsan Hyundai’s revival in the AFC Champions League 2022™ Group I continued to gather momentum after the Korea Republic side stormed to an emphatic 5-0 victory over Guangzhou FC at the Tan Sri Dato' Hj Hassan Yunos Stadium on Sunday.

The victory lifts the Korea Republic side to the top of the standings, though momentarily, as Johor Darul Ta’zim and Kawasaki Frontale prepare to reduce the match deficit in a captivating battle for Group I supremacy just hours later.