East Asia and ASEAN Wrap: BG Pathum United clinch 2021 AFC Champions League play-off berth

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

East Asia and ASEAN Wrap: BG Pathum United clinch 2021 AFC Champions League play-off berth

Kuala Lumpur: BG Pathum United have secured a place in, at least, the 2021 AFC Champions League qualifying rounds after a win over Chonburi on Saturday guaranteed them a top-four placing at the midway stage of Thai League 1.

Tainan City wrapped up their first league title in Chinese Taipei with a game to spare after defeating Hang Yuan while the 2020-21 Hong Kong Premier League also got underway.

Elsewhere, the table-toppers in Singapore won again although the runaway leaders in Japan stumbled as they lost just their third game of the season, so join the-AFC.com as we look back at the action from East Asia and ASEAN.

Vote for your East Asia/ASEAN performance of the week

Perth Glory’s youngsters ready to embrace ‘fantastic’ AFC Champions League challenge, says Ola

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Perth Glory’s youngsters ready to embrace ‘fantastic’ AFC Champions League challenge, says Ola

Doha: Perth Glory may be staring down the barrel of 2020 AFC Champions League elimination, but their players remain in a buoyant mood ahead of Tuesday’s clash against Korea Republic’s Ulsan Hyundai, according to head coach Cristian Ola.

Without a point from their opening two matches, and still without the services of a number of senior players, Perth could be forgiven for feeling pessimistic about their four remaining Group F fixtures, but Ola, who is part of the technical staff led by former Socceroo Richard Garcia, believes the opposite is true.

Strength in depth key for Beijing FC's Genesio ahead of AFC Champions League tie against Melbourne Victory

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Strength in depth key for Beijing FC's Genesio ahead of AFC Champions League tie against Melbourne Victory

Doha: Beijing FC head coach Bruno Genesio is keen for all members of his squad to contribute to a successful 2020 AFC Champions League campaign ahead of their clash against Melbourne Victory in Group E on Tuesday.

The Chinese Super League side have a 100% record so far, winning two from two and a third win in a row could put them at arm’s length from their chasers at the halfway point of the group stage.

FC Tokyo’s Hasegawa wary of Shanghai Shenhua’s local talent ahead of AFC Champions League clash

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

FC Tokyo’s Hasegawa wary of Shanghai Shenhua’s local talent ahead of AFC Champions League clash

FC Tokyo head coach Kenta Hasegawa has brushed off suggestions his side are favourites against an undermanned Shanghai Shenhua FC, saying the Chinese club’s local players will mount a genuine challenge in Tuesday’s 2020 AFC Champions League clash.

With star imports Giovanni Moreno and Kim Shin-wook unlikely to feature, Shenhua will require strong performances from their domestic players in the crucial Group F Matchday Three tie, but Hasegawa refuses to take Choi Kang-hee’s injury-hit squad lightly.

Fitness to dictate FC Seoul's lineup for AFC Champions League encounter with Chiangrai United 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Fitness to dictate FC Seoul's lineup for AFC Champions League encounter with Chiangrai United 

Doha: Head coach Lee Won-jun is set to pick only those who are in top physical condition for his FC Seoul starting XI against Thailand’s Chiangrai United in their third game of the 2020 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

The 2013 runners-up got their campaign off to a winning start back in February, defeating Melbourne Victory 1-0, but another Park Chu-young goal was not enough on Saturday as they lost 2-1 to Beijing FC to drop to second in Group E.

End justifies the means for Pereira in Shanghai SIPG's AFC Champions League win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

End justifies the means for Pereira in Shanghai SIPG's AFC Champions League win over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Doha: Shanghai SIPG head coach Vitor Pereira insisted his pragmatic approach in his side’s 2-1 win against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Sunday was dictated by the competition’s tight fixtures schedule.

The Chinese Super League side fielded a heavily rotated starting XI with the likes of Hulk, Aaron Mooy and two-goal hero from the previous game Li Shenglong being introduced in the second half.

The Portuguese manager’s plan paid dividends as Shanghai SIPG added a second win in three days to hit six points in Group H of the 2020 AFC Champions League.

Jeonbuk play Australia's Sydney FC on Wednesday while Shanghai SIPG and Yokohama F Marinos will square off in a top-of-the-table clash on the same day.

Park rues absences, Cannavaro expresses frustration after AFC Champions League stalemate

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Park rues absences, Cannavaro expresses frustration after AFC Champions League stalemate

Doha: Suwon Samsung Bluewings head coach Park Kun-ha rued the absence of key attacking players as his side failed to find the back of the net in a 0-0 draw against Guangzhou Evergrande at Khalifa International Stadium on Sunday.

Both teams collected their first point of the 2020 AFC Champions League campaign, with Guangzhou Evergrande having played one less match than their opponents.

The Koreans side now face an eight-day wait for their next game, a period during which Guangzhou Evergrande face Group G leaders Vissel Kobe of Japan twice.