East Asia Wrap: Vissel bounce back; Shanghai Derby ends level

Mon, 01 May, 2023

East Asia Wrap: Vissel bounce back; Shanghai Derby ends level

Hong Kong: After a defeat to reigning champions Yokohama F. Marinos in their last outing, league leaders Vissel Kobe returned to winning ways in Japan by defeating Shonan Bellmare 2-0 on Saturday but are under pressure from Sanfrecce Hiroshima who edged Cerezo Osaka 1-0 to stay two points behind.

In China PR, the honours were even as Shanghai Port and Shanghai Shenhua met in a crunch Shanghai Derby on Sunday while defending champions Wuhan Three Towns defeated newly promoted Qingdao Hainiu 3-0 as they continue to rebound from a shaky start to their title defence. 

Defending champions Ulsan Hyundai were made to sweat for a 2-1 victory against Gwangju FC in Korea Republic and now enjoy a six-point advantage at the top while there were also matches in Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Macau, so join the-AFC.com as we review the week’s action from across East Asia.

Michael confident Al Hilal can finish the job in Saitama

Mon, 01 May, 2023

Michael confident Al Hilal can finish the job in Saitama

Riyadh: Brazilian forward Michael fully believes Al Hilal SFC will overcome Urawa Red Diamonds  in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final second leg at Saitama.

Salem Al Dawsari gave the defending champions a first half lead only for Urawa to level the tie through Shinzo Koroki at the King Fahd International Stadium.

Scholz wants Urawa Reds to show improvement

Mon, 01 May, 2023

Scholz wants Urawa Reds to show improvement

Riyadh: Alexander Scholz insists Urawa Red Diamonds must improve despite battling to a 1-1 draw in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final first leg on Saturday.

Japan's Urawa produced a second half fightback to deny Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia victory with Shinzo Koroki's 53rd minute goal cancelling Salem Al Dawsari’s 13th minute opener.

Men's Group B: Thailand 3-1 Singapore; Vietnam 2-0 Laos

Mon, 01 May, 2023

Men's Group B: Thailand 3-1 Singapore; Vietnam 2-0 Laos

Phnom Penh: Vietnam and Thailand secured opening day victories over Laos and Singapore respectively in Group B of the 2023 Cambodia Sea Games men's football on Saturday.

Defending champions Vietnam cruised to a 2-0 win over Laos while Thailand, the 2021 silver medalists, defeated Singapore 3-1.

Urawa filled with hope after tough first leg, says Skorza

Sun, 30 Apr, 2023

Urawa filled with hope after tough first leg, says Skorza

Riyadh: Maciej Skorza paid tribute to his Urawa Red Diamonds players for standing up to a dominant Al Hilal SFC in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 final first leg on Saturday.

Al Hilal looked to well placed for a resounding victory after taking a 13th minute lead through Salem Al Dawsari but Urawa not only weathered the storm but equalised through Shinzo Koroki to force a 1-1 draw at the King Fahd International Stadium, leaving next week's second leg tantasilingly poised.

Diaz: Al Hilal will fight till the end

Sun, 30 Apr, 2023

Diaz: Al Hilal will fight till the end

Riyadh: Ramon Diaz didn’t hide his disappointment but the head coach was adamant that Al Hilal SFC are still very much in the race to lift the AFC Champions League™ 2022 title.

A dominant Al Hilal paid a heavy price against Urawa Red Diamonds in Saturday’s first leg, allowing the Japanese to fight back for a 1-1 draw and losing the talismanic Salem Al Dawsari to a red card at the King Fahd International Stadium.

Al Dawsari had given Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal the lead in the 13th minute and the defending champions looked set for a convincing victory, only for a mistake allowing Shinzo Koroki to score the equaliser in the 53rd minute.