FORMER CHAMPIONS COMPLETE LAST 16 LINE-UP

Former winners Al Hilal, Al Ain, and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors joined Melbourne Victory, FC Tokyo, Lokomotiv and Al Nasr in claiming the remaining places in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League this.

Shanghai SIPG, Sydney FC, Tractorsazi Tabriz, Zobahan, Lekhwiya, Shandong Luneng, FC Seoul, El Jaish and Urawa Red Diamonds had already qualified for the Round of 16, which will take place later this month, ahead of the final round of group ties.

Australia’s Melbourne are among five sides who advanced from the group stage for the first time, but did so by the slimmest of margins as a 2-1 victory against Japan’s Gamba Osaka in Group G meant the A-League side edged out Korea Republic’s Suwon Samsung Bluewings despite the K-League side recording a 3-0 win at home to Shanghai this week.

  

“It is a big achievement considering we’ve had five attempts. On our fifth one we were successful and that joy right now is overriding trying to analyse the performance or anything like that,” said Melbourne coach Kevin Muscat.

“It’s great for the football club and we’ve managed to create some history for a couple of times this year in fact.”

“All be it I’m so elated for the group, the difficulties of not having a game or many games – it’s not a complaint or an excuse, it’s tough going – but what that has given me is an unbelievable thirst and hunger to go and win the next tie.” 

Muscat and Melbourne will next face another Korean test in the Round of 16 in the shape of K-League champions Jeonbuk after the 2006 winners drew 2-2 at home to China’s Jiangsu FC to win Group E with FC Japan’s Tokyo taking second place after a 2-1 win over Vietnam’s Becamex Binh Duong.

Hiroshi Jofuku’s FC Tokyo will now face China’s Shanghai who had already won Group G before Wednesday’s defeat to Suwon.

Fellow Chinese Super League side Shandong, meanwhile, will take on Australia’s Sydney FC for a place in the quarter-finals after the A-League side topped Group H despite a 1-0 defeat to China’s Guangzhou Evergrande on Tuesday.

Urawa were Sydney’s Matchday Six challengers for first place, but with the 2007 winners drawing 1-1 with Korea’s Pohang Steelers, the J.League side finished in second place and will meet Group F winners FC Seoul in a fortnight’s time.

In the West, Al Hilal were indebted to Ailton’s 71^st minute strike to secure a 2-1 win over Group C winners Tractorsazi of Iran which means the Saudi Arabian side edged out Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor to secure second place and a Round of 16 tie with Lokomotiv despite the side from Uzbekistan beating Al Jazira.  

“We deserved to win tonight despite all the circumstances that we had in the previous period including the three consecutive defeats we suffered either in the local league or in the AFC Champions League,” said Al Hilal coach Giorgos Donis.

“The introduction of Ailton was at the right time. He proved that he’s an important player as he scored the winner.”

Uzbekistan’s Lokomotiv topped Group A as their goalless draw with Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates ensured both teams advanced at the expense of two-time champions Al Ittihad from Saudi Arabia, who exited the competition despite recording a 3-0 win over Iran’s Sepahan.

Tractorsazi, meanwhile, will mark their first appearance in the Round of 16 with a tie against fellow knockout stage debutants Al Nasr.

Finally, inaugural winners Al Ain secured their place in the last 16 as 2-0 win over Nasaf of Uzbekistan secured second place in Group D despite Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli beating table topping El Jaish from Qatar.

El Jaish will face Group B runners-up and fellow Qatar Stars League side Lekhwiya in the last 16, while Al Ain will take on Group B winners and 2010 runners-up Zobahan of Iran.

Zobahan completed their unbeaten campaign with a 3-0 away win over Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, while Lekhwiya shared a goalless draw at home to Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor.

ACL , Football , Sports

FORMER CHAMPIONS COMPLETE LAST 16 LINE-UP

Admin Wednesday, 4 May 2016

SIX TEAMS FACE FINAL PUSH FOR LAST 16 PLACES

Former continental champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Korea Republic and Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia as well as China's Jiangsu FC, J.League side FC Tokyo, Uzbekistan's Lokomotiv and Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates are in the running for the final four remaining places in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday,

Jiangsu currently occupy second spot in Group  E and sit just a point behind table-topping hosts Jeonbuk after defeating Vietnam's Becamex Binh Duong 3-0 a fortnight ago, but FC Tokyo are only point behind heading into the final Matchday.

Victory over 2006 winners Jeonbuk would ensure Dan Petrescu's Jiangsu top the group, while matching or bettering FC Tokyo's result against already-eliminated Binh Duong would also take the Chinese Super League side through. 

A draw or a win for FC Tokyo in Vietnam, meanwhile, would ensure the Japanese club make a second appearance in the Round of 16.

“In our next game we play away against Jeonbuk. It is going to be extremely difficult as they are the Korean champions,” said Petrescu, who will be without defender Li Ang due to suspension.

“We could qualify for the Round of 16 if we win, but if we lose, we will have to see what happens between FC Tokyo and Binh Duong.”

Jeonbuk midfielder Kim Bo-kyung and forward Ricardo Lopes will be absent from the match at Jeonju World Cup Stadium due to suspension, while in the tie at Binh Duong Stadium, Le Tan Tai is ruled out for the hosts. 

Elsewhere, two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Ittihad, Lokomotiv and Al Nasr will all have their parts to play in the concluding ties in Group A. 

Al Ittihad are currently are two points adrift of second place and must beat already-eliminated Sepahan of Iran and hope that either Lokomotiv and Al Nasr claim victory in Tashkent.

Goalkeeper Mohammad Al Nahedh is suspended for Al Ittihad as is Sepahan striker Luciano Pereira.

A draw in Uzbekistan between Lokomotiv and Al Nasr would be enough to see side into the last 16 with the victor also securing first place..

Lokomotiv will, though, will be without Georgia midfielder Kakhi Makharadze due to suspension.

“We will play for a win in the last match in order to maintain our unbeaten run in the competition and finish on top of the group,” said Lokomotiv coach Andrey Miklyaev.

Also in the West, with Group B's representatives in the last 16 already decided, group winners Zobahan of Iran take on third-placed side Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia, while runners-up Lekhwiya of Qatar host bottom side Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan.

And the scenario is similar in Group F with table toppers FC Seoul of Korea Republic, having already assured their place in the Round of 16, travelling to Japan to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima while Buriram United of Thailand entertain Shandong Luneng with the Chinese side also alreasy secured of a place in the last 16.

ACL , Football , Sports

SIX TEAMS FACE FINAL PUSH FOR LAST 16 PLACES

Admin Sunday, 1 May 2016

ZOBAHAN LOOK TO CONTINUE CONTINENTAL CHARGE

Coach Yahya Golmohammadi believes former finalists Zobahan can maintain their winning ways in their second Group B meeting with Qatar champions Lekhwiya in the AFC Champions League on Tuesday.

On their return to the continental competition last Tuesday after a five year absence, Mahdi Rajabzadeh scored in the first minute of the second half at Abdulla Bin Khalifa Stadium as Golmohammdi’s side recorded a 1-0 win over Lekhwiya in Doha.

And with all three Iranian teams proving successful on Matchday One, Golmohammadi is looking for more of the same when Zobahan play host to Lekhwiya at Foolad Shahr Stadium in the return meeting in Isfahan.

“This was the best possible start that we could thing of because winning against Lekhwiya is not easy and I’m happy with the performance of the players,” said Golmohammadi following the win over Lekhwiya.

“Winning the away match will give us a big push and hopefully we can maintain this advantage in the next match.”

Also on Group B on Tuesday, Bunyodkor entertain Saudi Arabian champions Al Nassr after the sides shared a thoroughly entertaining 3-3 draw in Riyadh on Matchday One.

AFC Young Player of the Year Dostonbek Khamdamov scored twice, but a late free-kick from veteran Hussain Abdulghani rescued a point for Al Nassr.

Elsewhere, Korea Republic’s FC Seoul will look to continue the form they showed in their eye-catching 6-0 win over Buriram United as they entertain Japanese champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Group F, while the Thai champions will hope to bounce back away to Shandong Luneng in China.

Buriram will, however, be without Suchao Nutnum after the captain was sent-off against FC Seoul and there is fitness doubts around striker Diogo.

“Before we lost Diogo, I think we played well. But after he got injured, our game was messed up so we changed our tactics, but it didn't work,” said Buriram coach Alexandre Gama after the Brazilian was substituted after just 17 minutes.

“We also conceded goals and got a red card. This totally changed our game and made us play harder.

“So from now on, we have to start again and come back to fight. We still have a long way to go. We will do our best.”

Also in the East, Group E’s early pace-setters Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will aim to build on a solid start to their campaign as the K-League Classic champions travel to China to face Jiangsu FC after their opening 2-1 win over FC Tokyo, while the Japanese capital city club will host Vietnamese champions Becamex Binh Duong.

Binh Duong, though, will be without Cameroon striker Christian Amougou after the forward was sent-off in the 1-1 draw with Jiangsu.

Finally in Group A, Iranian champions Sepahan will look to the double over Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates when they travel to Dubai after their 2-0 win in Isfahan last Tuesday, while Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad will be aiming to get their first win of the AFC Champions League campaign when they host Lokomotiv of Uzbekistan.

Al Ittihad, though, will be without striker Fahad Al Muwallad, while Lokomotiv’s Jasur Khasanov is also ruled out through suspension after the pair were both sent-off in the closing stages of last Tuesday’s 1-1 draw in Tashkent.

ACL , Football , Sports

ZOBAHAN LOOK TO CONTINUE CONTINENTAL CHARGE

Admin Sunday, 28 February 2016

FC SEOUL HIT BURIRAM FOR SIX IN CONTINENTAL OPENER

Former finalists FC Seoul sounded an early warning to their continental rivals with a dominant 6-0 win over Thailand champions Buriram United as the AFC Champions League retuned this week, while defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande were held to a goalless draw by Pohang Steelers.

Brazilian Adriano scored four times at Buriram Stadium, with Dejan Damjanovic and substitute Lee Seok-hyun adding further goals, as the 2013 runners-up eased to victory in Thailand.

And the side from the Korea Republic capital were joined at the top of Group F by China’s Shandong Luneng after Yang Xu and Diego Tardelli scored to secure a 2-1 win over Japanese champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

“Even though this is the first game of our season, we are happy to score many goals which make us feel very confident,” said FC Seoul coach Choi Yong-soo.

“The co-ordination between Adriano and Dejan was very good. They give us confidence.”

Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Guangzhou, meanwhile, were unable to get the better of another K-League side in the form of three-time Asian champions Pohang and were forced to settle for a goalless stalemate at Tianhe Sport Centre.

Instead, it is Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds who are the early Group H leaders after Yuki Muto and Shinzo Koroki netted to secure a 2-0 win over A-League side Sydney FC.

“This is a fair result. We were short of some good match tempo and we haven't reached where we were last year. We went to Dubai for winter training, but ended up with only one training match. Now we are having some difficulties, but this game is within my expectations. What we were missing was one goal,” said Guangzhou coach Scolari.

 “We are still two or three matches away from having the right season vibe back.”

Also on Wednesday, Iran’s Tractorsazi Tabriz were the third of three Iranian clubs to secure an opening day win as they beat Al Jazira of the United Arab Emirates 4-0 to leap to the top of Group C ahead of two-time Asian champions Al Hilal and Uzbek League winners Pakhtakor after the pair shared a 2-2 draw.

Elsewhere, goals from Jai Ingham and Besart Berisha saw Australian champions Melbourne Victory edge out Chinese Super League runners-up Shanghai SIPG 2-1 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Group G, while Suwon Samsung Bluewings and Gamba Osaka shared a goalless draw.

Also in the East, 2006 winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors beat Japan’s FC 2-1 to take an early lead in Group E, while the meeting between Chinese FA Cup winners Jiangsu FC and Vietnamese champions Becamex Binh Duong ended in a 1-1 draw.

Iran’s Zobahan celebrated their return to the AFC Champions League after a five-year absence with a 1-0 win over Qatar champions Lekhwiya to become Group B front-runners.

And also in Group B, Saudi Arabia Professional League winners Al Nassr salvaged a 3-3 draw with visitors Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan thanks to a late equaliser from Hussein Abdulghani.

In Group A, Iranian champions Sepahan defeated Emirati side Al Nasr 2-0 in Isfahan, while the group’s earlier fixture in Tashkent saw two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Ittihad draw 1-1 with Lokomotiv.

Finally in Group D, Omar Al Soma scored with a header early in the second half to seal a 2-1 win for Al Ahli over Uzbekistan’s Nasaf.

But there was disappointment for 2003 champions Al Ain, who succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Qatar Stars League side El Jaish.

ACL , Football , Sports

FC SEOUL HIT BURIRAM FOR SIX IN CONTINENTAL OPENER

Admin Thursday, 25 February 2016

POHANG OPENER FOR CHAMPIONS GUANGZHOU

Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande begin the defence of their AFC Champions League title on Wednesday with Luiz Felipe Scolari’s side looking to join opening round opponents Pohang Steelers from Korea Republic as the only three-time continental champions.

Guangzhou followed up their 2013 triumph over Korea’s FC Seoul with a hard-fought 1-0 aggregate win over Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates at the end of last year.

Brazilian coach Scolari has lost compatriot Elkeson who scored the decisive goal in both final successes, although Guangzhou recruited Colombian Jackson Martinez ahead of the start of the new season with the remainder of the squad remaining largely unchanged.

Guangzhou have yet to start their domestic season having won a fifth consecutive Super League title last year, and while the K-League Classic season has also not started, opponents Pohang did beat Vietnam’s Hanoi T&T in the AFC Champions League play-offs earlier this month.

To date, Pohang are the only side to be crowned continental champions three times having won the Asian Club Championship in 1997 and 1998 before winning the 2009 AFC Champions League. 

“We can improve, but this was a good result for us,” said Pohang coach Choi Jin-cheul after Shim Dong-woon’s hat-trick secured victory over Hanoi.

“We are now looking forward to the group stage. We know it will not be easy, but we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Also in Group H on Wednesday, Australia’s Sydney FC travel to Japan to face 2007 AFC Champions League winners Urawa Red Diamonds.

And in Group G, fellow A-League side Melbourne Victory entertain China’s Shanghai SIPG, while 2008 AFC Champions League winners Gamba Osaka from Japan travel to Korea to face two-time Asian Club Championship winners Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

In the West on Wednesday, two-time Asian Club Championship winners Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia travel to Uzbekistan to face domestic champions Pakhtakor in Group C, while play-off winners Al Jazira from the UAE make the trip to Iran to face Tractorsazi Tabriz.

Saudi Arabian King Cup winners Al Hilal, who won the Asian Club Championship in 1992 and 2000, again produced a strong showing in the AFC Champions League last year by reaching the semi-finals having lost the 2014 final to Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers.

Al Jazira, meanwhile, earned a seventh AFC Champions League appearance after edging out Qatar’s Al Sadd on penalties in the play-offs earlier this month following a 2-2 draw after extra-time.

“I want to thank the players for the great effort they made tonight as they were determined to win and we achieved what we were looking for. The match was not easy, but we were better and deserved to win," said Al Jazira coach Henk Ten Cate following the win over Al Sadd.

"We will celebrate tonight, but we should start preparing for the group stage.”

Finally in Group D, inaugural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain from the UAE entertain Qatar’s El Jaish, who also advanced from the play-offs after beating Naft Tehran in Iran, while Uzbekistan’s Nasaf travel to Saudi Arabia to face Al Ahli.

ACL , Football , Sports

POHANG OPENER FOR CHAMPIONS GUANGZHOU

Admin Monday, 22 February 2016