2019 AFC Champions League

Discuss Asian Football right here!

Moderator: Moderators Group

User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Wed Feb 06, 2019 1:52 pm

It is upon us once again, with the preliminary round seeing Persija overcoming Home United 1-3. A great win for the Indonesians and it is good to see their clubs back into the continental competitions. certainly their crowds are huge and enthusiastic though Persija will need to get to the group stage to achieve that, a feat that is still someway off.

Next Persija will face the Newcastle Jets who are not exactly in sterling form. The winner of that game then gets to fly to Japan for the play-off round to take on Kashima Antlers, who won the 2018 ACL, and you'd imagine that is where their journey shall end.

Yangon United also managed an upset away win with a 1-2 victory over Philippine champions Ceres and get to play Chiangrai as a reward. The winner of that game then flies to Japan to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the play-off round.

For the group stages Sydney have Shanghai SIPG and Kawasaki Frontale as well as a play-off qualifier in the group. Melbourne Victory have Daegu FC and Ghuanghzou Evergrande plus another play-off qualifier.

Normally I'd say Sydney have the tougher odds, however Melbourne Victory have proven to be utterly woeful in the ACL, having never won an away game despite many attempts. My guess is Sydney is our best chance for 2019.
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Wed Feb 13, 2019 7:07 am

Never a dull moment with Boogs; he's either the hero or the villian. Last night he opted for the former and put the Jets through to the play-off match against Kashima Antlers. Persija gave a decent account of themselves though Simic, who is facing an Australian court for allegedly indecently touching a fellow passenger on their flight to Australia, probably didn't have his full mind on the game. No doubt there will be wild conspiracy theories flowing at Sultan Agung Stadium.

In other games Perak defeated 10 man Kitchee on penalties whilst Chiangrai overcame Yangon United 3-1. A team to watch, Hanoi, had a 0-1 away win over Bangkok United. Watch their left back; the kid has skills.
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Wed Feb 20, 2019 7:07 am

Most of the games out East went to script, with the Jets outclassed by Kashima. Hanoi put in a good showing against Shandong but were overrun and Chiangrai taking Sanfrecce Hiroshima all the way to penalties. Bad luck for the Thai's who very nearly caused a big upset.

Out West there were are couple of "upsets" with Pakhtakor defeat Al-Nasr 1-2 and Zob Ahan triumphing over Al-Gharafa 2-3. I say "upsets" as whilst these clubs had to come through the play-offs and play away in UAE & Qatar respectively, there is a reasonable argument that they are the bigger clubs.
otto62
Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 1709
Joined: Tue Oct 17, 2017 12:12 pm
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: Isaias

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby otto62 Wed Mar 06, 2019 12:32 am

Oh I do like watching MV in the ACL. :D
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Wed Mar 06, 2019 2:41 pm

Oh I do like watching MV in the ACL. :D
Their ACL performances, especially away from home, are mind-boggingly bad. For all his domestic success, Kevin Muscat really struggles once he leaves Australian shores (not so diffirent from GA, when it comes down to it).
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Fri Mar 08, 2019 11:01 am

First round is completed and the A-League clubs haven't exactly come out of the blocks firing with flat-track bullies Melbourne Victory getting done badly at home by Daegu whilst Ulsan were somewhat fortunate to ciome away with a point but hey, that's cup football.

Perhaps match of the round was Kashima Antlers v Johor Darul Tazim with the Malaysians going down 2-1 to their much fancied opponents. If nothing it highlights that these types of clubs can compete well in the ACL and that the AFC should look to have more clubs friom the likes of Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam in the competition rather than four from the big leagues.
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Thu Jun 20, 2019 5:21 am

1st leg of the Round of 16 (East) kicked off this week:

Kashima Antlers 1 - 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Guangzhou Evergrande 2 - 1 Shandong Luneng
Urawa Red Diamonds 1 - 2 Ulsan Hyundai (Nabbout wamed the pine)
Shanghai SIPG 1 - 1 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors

Return legs are next week.
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Wed Jun 26, 2019 4:46 am

A couple of cracking games in the ACL last night.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima went down to 10 men again yet managed to defeat Kashima Antlers 3-2. Sanfrecce dominated the game and it is hard to believe they were down a man with 16' still to go such was the control they had. With a net result of 3-3 Kashima progress on away goals.

Guangzhou Evergrande and Shandong Lueng saw their match go to extra time and then penalties in an even encounter. Penalties are a lottery and Guangzhou were the lucky winners, progressing to the next round.
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Thu Jun 27, 2019 5:00 am

It seems to have been a tight round with Jeonbuk and Shanghai SIPG playing all the way to penalties which saw Shaghai come out triumphant.

Urawa turned around their 1-2 home defeat and beat Ulsan 0-3 in Korea. A big turn around for the Red Diamonds. Nabbout warmed the pine.
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Fri Aug 09, 2019 12:50 pm

The ACL Quater Finals are on the 27th and 28th of August (return legs on the 17th & 18th of Sep) and it is the heavy hitters:

Shanghai SIPG v Kashima Antlers
Guangzhou Evergrande v Urawa Reds

Kashima have lost two of their better players to Europe over the transfer window, perhaps the most interesting of which was Daichi Kamada to Entraicht Frankfurt. Still, it's Kashima and their squad is deep.

Out West the matches are being played now, with the first leg just finished. Second leg is later in the month.

Thus far it is:

Al-Nassr (SAU) 1 - Al-Wahda (UAE) 1
Al-Duhail (QTR) 1 - Al-Sadd (QTR) 1
Al-Ittihad (SAU) 2 - Zob Ahan (IRN) 1
Al-Ahli (SAU) 2 - Al-Hilal (SAU) 4
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Thu Aug 15, 2019 6:26 am

No great suprises as Al-Ittihad came through along with Al-Hilal, Al-Sadd and Al-Nassr.

The quartefinal matches out West are:
Al-Nassr v Al-Sadd
Al-Itiihad v Al-Hilal

Matches for both East and West kick-off in a little under a fortnight.
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Wed Oct 02, 2019 9:12 pm

Al Hilal spanked Al Sadd last night 1-4....and they scored Al Sadd's goal.

Urawa looking handy against Guangzhou Moneybags at the moment.
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Thu Oct 03, 2019 3:52 am

2-0 to Urawa in a dominant display. Guangzhou looked flat.

Both of Urawa's goals were absolute rockets from 20 and 30 metres respectively.
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Fri Oct 25, 2019 4:37 am

Despite a woeful domestic season which has them only 4 points above the relegation play-off with 5 games to go, Urawa Reds have defeated Guangzhou Moneybags 3-0 on aggregate, going tp the final of the ACL There they will face Suadi heavyweights Al Hilal who squeezed through on 6-5 aggregate thanks mainly to an early red card to Al Sadd in the first leg.

Al Hilal host the first leg on the 10th of November with the return to a heaving Saitama Stadium on the 25th.
User avatar
blahblah
Forum Moderator & Proud Adelaide United Supporter
Posts: 5928
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 9:30 am
Current Favourite Adelaide United Player: the kit bag guy
Favourite Adelaide United F.C. Song: Bound for South Australia
Location: Japan

Re: 2019 AFC Champions League

Postby blahblah Tue Oct 29, 2019 5:00 am

Some good news from the AFC, the ACL will be expanded next year to 40 teams (currently 32). There won't be any more slots for the top nations however a number of teams from additional countries will be included (4 from the East and 4 from the West).

It will be good to Adelaide to come up against different clubs from the East such as JDT from Malaysia and 4.25 from North Korea (now that would be an interesting away game!).

Return to “Football Asia”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests