Football leads the recovery effort in Japan Apr 2, 2011
Gates open for Asian players in China Apr 14, 2011
Setanta confirms J. League schedule for April Apr 11, 2011
ACL last 16 begins to take shape May 4, 2012
EXCLUSIVE: Scott McIntyre
What exactly is a lemon?
There’s been a lot of talk over the past week or so in Australia over whether or not the 2015 Asian Cup will be a success but for me the key is in defining the specific notion of success.
Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande have been rewarded for their dramatic win over Buriram United with a home tie against Japanese Emperor’s Cup winners FC Tokyo in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League later this month.
By Keeshaanan Sundaresan – AFF Malaysian correspondent
The situation is just as it was predicted prior to the season. With over half a season already played in the Malaysian Super League, Kelantan are looking odds on for yet another title triumph. And if there is one reason behind their dominant season so far, it has to be that element of consistency.
Three-time Asian champions Pohang Steelers need just a one point against Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor on Wednesday to qualify for the last 16 of the AFC Champions League and maintain their push for an unprecedented fourth continental title.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Kashiwa Reysol, Guangzhou Evergrande and Buriram United all landed their domestic titles last year, but only two of the illustrious quartet will advance to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League as the race to qualify from Group H goes down to the wire on Tuesday.
By Anthony Nelson
It’s holiday season in Japan with the arrival of “Golden Week”, a confluence of several public holidays that gives most of Japan the chance to take their longest extended break for the year. Much to the football fan’s delight, however, Japan’s professional football players have three games in eight days to contend with.
Two-time winner Al Ittihad, fellow Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli, Iran’s Sepahan, former finalists Adelaide United as well as FC Tokyo and Ulsan Hyundai advanced to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League this week leaving nine places available in the knockout stage of the continental competition heading into the final round of group fixtures later this month.
Adelaide United are boosted by the return to fitness of midfielder Dario Vidosic for Wednesday’s visit of Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor with the 2008 runners-up one win away from a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League.
AFC Champions League debutants Guangzhou Evergrande can secure a place in the last 16 with victory over Korea Republic’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Tuesday, but the Chinese Super League champions must be wary of a backlash from the resurgent former champions.
By Iain Pearce
There are several firsts that let you know the season is well and truly underway. The first goal came fourteen minutes in from the predictable boots of Jeonbuk’s Lee Dong-Guk.
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