East Asia Wrap: Kawasaki go clear; Jeju stun Jeonbuk

Mon, 14 Mar, 2022

East Asia Wrap: Kawasaki go clear; Jeju stun Jeonbuk

Hong Kong: The J1 League already has a familiar look to it as Kawasaki Frontale’s 1-0 win over Nagoya Grampus on Saturday took them two points clear at the top of the standings. 

The K League 1, on the other hand, looks anything but familiar after Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ 2-0 loss to Jeju United left them second from bottom following their third successive defeat. 

Macau’s Liga de Elite was also in action, so join the-AFC.com as we wrap up the latest round of fixtures from across East Asia. 

Recent matches, top scorers and more: The ultimate 2022 AFC Champions League™ playoff form guide

Sat, 12 Mar, 2022

Recent matches, top scorers and more: The ultimate 2022 AFC Champions League™ playoff form guide

Kuala Lumpur: It’s the night where AFC Champions League dreams are made and broken, and we’ve got the lowdown on all 12 teams in action on what looms as an unmissable Tuesday across Asia. 

The stakes could scarcely be higher. Success on the night will take the winning club to the pinnacle of the Asian club game for six matches against the continent’s best, while failure means AFC Champions League ambitions stopped dead in their tracks for at least another year.

With six winner-takes-all matches ahead – three in the East, and three in the West – we have examined the recent fortunes of each team, including their league positions, latest matches and top scorers.

Join the-AFC.com as we break down the contenders ahead one of the key nights on the 2022 ACL calendar. 

Kim Young-gwon: It’s an honour to be coached by Hong Myung-bo

Wed, 09 Mar, 2022

Kim Young-gwon: It’s an honour to be coached by Hong Myung-bo

Ulsan: Two AFC Champions League winners’ medals, multiple league titles, an AFC Asian Cup final appearance and a goal in a historic FIFA World Cup victory over Germany – Kim Young-gwon has enjoyed a storied career but one in which, perhaps surprisingly, he had never played for a club in his native Korea Republic.

That was until January this year when, after a trophy-laden seven seasons at Guangzhou FC in China PR was sandwiched in between a pair of three-year spells in Japan’s J1 League, the 32-year-old finally opted to return home.

Juraboev on board for United City’s AFC Champions League mission

Fri, 11 Mar, 2022

Juraboev on board for United City’s AFC Champions League mission

Manila: United City FC have bolstered their playing ranks ahead of next month’s AFC Champions League group stage, completing the signing of Tajikistan international Amirbek Juraboev.

The 25-year-old joins the Filipino club from Tajik champions FC Istiklol, where he won six consecutive league titles from 2016 to 2021 and was part of the side that met Persepolis FC in the knockout stage of last year’s continental tournament.

Roller: Port ready for ‘huge’ Ulsan challenge

Wed, 09 Mar, 2022

Roller: Port ready for ‘huge’ Ulsan challenge

Bangkok: Philip Roller insists that anything is possible in Port FC’s 2022 AFC Champions League playoff against two-time winners Ulsan Hyundai as the Thai side aim to cause an upset in Korea Republic and reach the group stage for the second successive campaign.

After progressing directly to the 2021 edition to make their competition debut, Port will now have to overcome a continental giant in 2020 champions Ulsan to return to the group stage when the sides face off at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on March 15.

Tawamba dreaming of cementing legendary Al Taawoun status with AFC Champions League record

Fri, 11 Mar, 2022

Tawamba dreaming of cementing legendary Al Taawoun status with AFC Champions League record

Buraidah: Four years after arriving in Saudi Arabia a virtual unknown following a transfer from Serbian side Partizan FK to Al Taawoun, Cameroonian striker Leandre Tawamba has established himself as one of the best strikers in the history of the Saudi Pro League.

The next challenge for the 32-year-old is to lead his side to the 2022 AFC Champions League group stage and beyond. Tawamba spoke to the-AFC.com ahead of Tuesday's playoff encounter against Syria’s Al Jaish.