Group E: FC Nasaf defeat Al Sadd to keep hopes alive

Sun, 24 Apr, 2022

Group E: FC Nasaf defeat Al Sadd to keep hopes alive

Dammam: FC Nasaf produced their best display of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group E, dispatching Al Sadd 3-1 and consigning the 2011 winners to a second consecutive group stage exit on Saturday.

An Akmal Mozgovoy brace, coupled with Husain Norchayev's goal saw Nasaf take a three-goal lead by the 77th minute, with Rodridgo Tabata scoring a consolation for Qatar's Al Sadd in added time. 

The win pushed Uzbekistan's Nasaf up the standings with eight points to their name, while dashing Al Sadd's hopes of a top two finish in Group E. 

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Group A: Boli strikes late as Al Rayyan stay in the race

Sun, 24 Apr, 2022

Group A: Boli strikes late as Al Rayyan stay in the race

Riyadh: Yohan Boli struck right at the end as Al Rayyan SC secured a crucial three points with a 1-0 win over FC Istiklol in Group A of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 on Saturday. 

The win takes Qatar's Al Rayyan to 10 points and keeps their hopes of a place in the Round of 16 alive while Tajikistan's Istiklol suffered their fifth consecutive defeat.

Concentration key for Al Duhail's comeback heroics, says Crespo

Sat, 23 Apr, 2022

Concentration key for Al Duhail's comeback heroics, says Crespo

Buraidah: Al Duhail head coach Hernan Crespo credited his side’s concentration and confidence for their come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Al Taawoun in the AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group D’s top-of-the-table clash on Friday.

The Qatari side went into the halftime break with a 3-1 disadvantage but turned on the style after the restart and were rewarded with three goals. Edmilson swept home Almoez Ali’s cross to reduce the deficit, before adding his sixth of the campaign from the penalty spot and club captain Ali headed home two minutes from time to win it for Al Duhail.

Foolad advance to next round, Al Gharafa look towards the future

Sat, 23 Apr, 2022

Foolad advance to next round, Al Gharafa look towards the future

Jeddah: Foolad Khouzestan FC  tactician Javad Nekounam was delighted with his side’s scrappy 1-0 win against a wounded Al Gharafa which ultimately sealed their passage to the AFC Champions League 2022™ Round of 16 with one game to play.

Winners of each group and the three best runners-up from the West Region qualify to the next round, meaning Foolad’s 11 points is mathematically sufficient to finish as one of the three second best placed clubs regardless of the results from other groups.
 
Knowing that they needed a victory, Nekounam was prepared to face a determined Al Gharafa, who entered the must-win match aiming to prove a point after losing 8-2  to Shabab Al Ahli Dubai on Matchday Four.

Sepahan's Navidkia praises unlucky Pakhtakor after late win

Sat, 23 Apr, 2022

Sepahan's Navidkia praises unlucky Pakhtakor after late win

Buraidah: Sepahan FC head coach Moharram Navidkia complimented Friday opponents Pakhtakor after his side walked away with the three points in a 2-1 victory in Group D of the AFC Champions League™ 2022 at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Despite the defeat, it was the Uzbek side that had control for long spells of the game, as well as the bulk of scoring chances, but they fell behind in the 75th minute as Sajad Shabazadeh hammered home Milad Jahani’s cross from the left.

Khojiakbar Alijonov’s diving header restored parity within minutes and Sepahan survived a scare after Odiljon Hamrobekov struck the woodwork in added time before Shabazadeh popped up again, driving home a late winner that consigned Pakhtakor to a fourth, while allowing Sepahan to live to fight another day.

Bahebri credits father-figure Sumudica for stunning Al Shabab performance

Sat, 23 Apr, 2022

Bahebri credits father-figure Sumudica for stunning Al Shabab performance

Riyadh: Hat-trick hero Hattan Bahebri has hailed the positive impact Marius Sumudica has on the Al Shabab team following their empathic 6-0 victory over debutants Mumbai City of India in their AFC Champions League™ 2022 Group B tie on Friday. 

The goals poured in through Bahebri, an own goal from Mourtada Fall before Abdullah Al Jouei and Carlos Junior etched their names on the scoresheet in an emphatic win with confirmed Al Shabab's Round of 16 berth.

The Saudi Arabia side have amassed 13 points from five matches, six clear of second-placed Air Force Club of Iraq who defeated UAE’s Al Jazira 3-2.

Dynamic duo Cartabia and Abdalla lead the way for Shabab Al Ahli

Sat, 23 Apr, 2022

Dynamic duo Cartabia and Abdalla lead the way for Shabab Al Ahli

Jeddah: Shabab Al Ahli Dubai head coach Mahdi Ali reserved praise for two-goal hero Federico Cartabia and teenager Harib Abdalla following their noteworthy performances against Ahal FC on Friday. 

The Argentinian, a former Valencia and Deportivo de La Coruña player, scored in the 13th and 44th minutes to bring his tally to five goals in the campaign so far. 
 
He linked-up well with the speedy 19-year-old Abdalla, who assisted both goals and was a constant threat with his darting runs on the left flank as Ahal FC struggled to keep up with his pace.

Super-sub Abdul Kadhim lifts Air Force Club’s hopes

Sat, 23 Apr, 2022

Super-sub Abdul Kadhim lifts Air Force Club’s hopes

Riyadh: Match winner Shareef Abdul Kadhim is confident Air Force Club of Iraq can reach the AFC Champions League™ 2022 knockout stage following their 3-2 victory over UAE’s Al Jazira in Group B on Friday.

The game was headed for a draw after Al Jazira came back from two goals down to level the tie. Air Force Club, however, had the final say when substitute Abdul Kadhim struck a last-gasp winner to seal the win.

Victory at the King Fahd International Stadium means Air Force Club climbed up to second in the standings with seven points ahead, three ahead of Al Jazira and India’s Mumbai City, who fell to a 6-0 defeat to Al Shabab of Saudi Arabia.