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Group A
The 2020 AFC Champions League resumes on Monday with Al Ahli Saudi FC facing Iraq’s Al Shorta at Khalifa International Stadium in the only Group A match.
Emirati side Al Wahda announced on Thursday they would not be able to travel to Qatar after a number of their club members tested positive for COVID-19. Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal are the other team in the group.
The new reality means victory on Monday would guarantee Al Ahli a knock-out stage ticket for the fourth consecutive season, taking them to six points. Meanwhile an Al Shorta victory would send them to the top of the group ahead of the two sides’ reverse fixture on Thursday.
For Al Shorta, the Monday clash throws them the challenge of trying to get their first-ever win in the AFC Champions League, having finished winless and bottom of the group in both their past two appearances in the competition, in 2004 and 2005.
Following the double header between Al Ahli and Al Shorta, the remaining Group A matches see Esteghlal involved in back-to-back encounters, first they face Al Shorta on September 20 then play Al Ahli three days later to conclude the group fixtures.
Group B
The 2020 AFC Champions League Group B gets back underway on Monday with two Matchday Three encounters; Shabab Al Ahli Dubai FC play Shahr Khodro FC while reigning champions Al Hilal SFC face Pakhtakor FC. After each of the group teams played two games back in February, Al Hilal and Pakhtakor hold a relative, yet early advantage, with both having collected six points from their opening fixtures.
Al Hilal got their title defence underway in style, registering a convincing 2-0 win over debutants Shahr Khodro. Andre Carillo opened the scoring for the Blues, while last year’s top scorer Bafetimbi Gomis broke his 2020 AFC Champions League scoring duck to secure the victory.
The Frenchman was at his clinical best as head coach Razvan Lucescu’s men came from behind to down Shabab Al Ahli 2-1 on Matchday Two. The Dubai side took the lead through Youssef Jaber but Gomis struck either side of the half-time break to send Al Hilal into the forced COVID-19 break with full marks.
In turn, Pakhtakor’s pursuit of a first knock-out-stage appearance since 2010 started with a 2-1 home victory over Shabab Al Ahli in rain-soaked Tashkent. Winger Jaloliddin Masharipov’s wonder strike was cancelled by Pedro Conde’s tap-in after the break, but veteran Dragan Ceran sealed the three points for the Uzbeks minutes later.
Pakhtakor then demonstrated their prowess with a 3-0 triumph over Shahr Khodro with an Igor Sergeev brace and a late Sherzod Azamov header taking them to six points.
On Monday, at least one of Al Hilal and Pakhtakor will drop points for the first time as they clash at Al Janoub Stadium, while at least one of Shabab Al Ahli and Shahr Khodro will get off the mark on the same day in the earlier match at the same ground.
Group C
Recently crowned Qatar Stars League champions Al Duhail SC face reigning UAE Pro League champions Sharjah, while Iran Pro League winners Persepolis FC face Saudi Arabia’s King Cup holders Al Taawoun FC on Matchday Three of the 2020 AFC Champions League Group C on Tuesday.
With the action having been halted after two rounds of matches, Al Taawoun sit top of the group with six points, while Al Duhail are second with three. Persepolis, the 2018 runners-up, and Sharjah have a point each.
Al Taawoun opened their second ever AFC Champion League campaign after 2017 with a narrow 1-0 win against Sharjah courtesy of Faisal Darwish, then followed it up on Matchday Two with a 2-0 upset against Al Duhail as Mohamed Al Sahlawi lobbed in a fumbled clearance before teammate Abdulmajeed Al Swat left-footed a low shot into the bottom corner.
A repeat of the 2018 AFC Champions League quarter-final saw Al Duhail beat Persepolis 2-0 with goals from Mario Mandzukic and Edmilson. The Tehran-based side later played out a 1-1 draw with Sharjah as both sides collected their first point of the campaign.
Having reached back-to-back semi-finals in 2017 and 2018, Persepolis need to avoid defeat in their double header against group leaders Al Taawoun if they are to avoid a second group stage exit in a row.
Conversely, the Saudis could seal qualification to the Round of 16 for the first time in their history should they collect all six points from their next two games.
For Sharjah, the back-to-back clashes against Al Duhail represent the last opportunity to stay in contention upon their return to the competition after a 16-year absence.
Whichever way the results go at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday then Friday, the four Group C teams will go into the final two matchdays next week with a clearer idea on where they stand.
And by the time the following weekend rolls over, the group table might look very different to how it currently does. But should Al Hilal and Pakhtakor exchange victories in their Matchday Three and Matchday Four encounters, the task could become more difficult for Shabab Al Ahli and Shahr Khodro, especially if neither of them walks away with all six points on September Monday and Thursday.
Group D
Former continental champions Al Ain FC and Al Sadd SC go head to head while Islamic Republic of Iran’s Sepahan FC take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in Group D of the 2020 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
The February rounds of games saw Al Sadd lead the group with four points, with away goals separating them from runners-up Al Nassr. Sepahan lurk close behind with three points while Al Ain are yet to get off the mark.
Xavi’s Al Sadd needed an own goal from Al Nassr’s Abdulelah Al Amri to rescue a valuable 2-2 draw against the Saudi Arabian side on the opening day, but were in devastating form as they brushed aside Sepahan 3-0 on Matchday Two, with Hassan Al Haydos hitting a six-minute second half brace to add to Akram Afif’s opener.
Sepahan were the heroes of the group’s biggest upset, downing Al Ain 4-0, with the pick of the four coming as Brazilian forward Kiros pounced on a defensive error and lobbed keeper Khaled Eissa.
Life got marginally better for Al Ain in their second game against Al Nassr, but it was not enough for the competition’s inaugural winners to avoid another defeat.
With the score tied 1-1, striker Abderrazaq Hamdallah snatched the ball from Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa 10 minutes from the final whistle, to slot home the winner for the Saudis.
With a point separating Al Nassr and Sepahan, the two sides are eyeing maximum points from their two clashes to move as close as possible to qualification before the final two matchdays.
Al Sadd have reached the semi-finals in the past two editions of the competition and, having strengthened their ranks with Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla, will hope for a second straight win to cement their position at the top of the Group D table, while Al Ain cannot afford to drop more points. (the-afc.com)
The 2020 AFC Champions League resumes on Monday with Al Ahli Saudi FC facing Iraq’s Al Shorta at Khalifa International Stadium in the only Group A match.
Emirati side Al Wahda announced on Thursday they would not be able to travel to Qatar after a number of their club members tested positive for COVID-19. Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal are the other team in the group.
The new reality means victory on Monday would guarantee Al Ahli a knock-out stage ticket for the fourth consecutive season, taking them to six points. Meanwhile an Al Shorta victory would send them to the top of the group ahead of the two sides’ reverse fixture on Thursday.
For Al Shorta, the Monday clash throws them the challenge of trying to get their first-ever win in the AFC Champions League, having finished winless and bottom of the group in both their past two appearances in the competition, in 2004 and 2005.
Following the double header between Al Ahli and Al Shorta, the remaining Group A matches see Esteghlal involved in back-to-back encounters, first they face Al Shorta on September 20 then play Al Ahli three days later to conclude the group fixtures.
Group B
The 2020 AFC Champions League Group B gets back underway on Monday with two Matchday Three encounters; Shabab Al Ahli Dubai FC play Shahr Khodro FC while reigning champions Al Hilal SFC face Pakhtakor FC. After each of the group teams played two games back in February, Al Hilal and Pakhtakor hold a relative, yet early advantage, with both having collected six points from their opening fixtures.
Al Hilal got their title defence underway in style, registering a convincing 2-0 win over debutants Shahr Khodro. Andre Carillo opened the scoring for the Blues, while last year’s top scorer Bafetimbi Gomis broke his 2020 AFC Champions League scoring duck to secure the victory.
The Frenchman was at his clinical best as head coach Razvan Lucescu’s men came from behind to down Shabab Al Ahli 2-1 on Matchday Two. The Dubai side took the lead through Youssef Jaber but Gomis struck either side of the half-time break to send Al Hilal into the forced COVID-19 break with full marks.
In turn, Pakhtakor’s pursuit of a first knock-out-stage appearance since 2010 started with a 2-1 home victory over Shabab Al Ahli in rain-soaked Tashkent. Winger Jaloliddin Masharipov’s wonder strike was cancelled by Pedro Conde’s tap-in after the break, but veteran Dragan Ceran sealed the three points for the Uzbeks minutes later.
Pakhtakor then demonstrated their prowess with a 3-0 triumph over Shahr Khodro with an Igor Sergeev brace and a late Sherzod Azamov header taking them to six points.
On Monday, at least one of Al Hilal and Pakhtakor will drop points for the first time as they clash at Al Janoub Stadium, while at least one of Shabab Al Ahli and Shahr Khodro will get off the mark on the same day in the earlier match at the same ground.
Group C
Recently crowned Qatar Stars League champions Al Duhail SC face reigning UAE Pro League champions Sharjah, while Iran Pro League winners Persepolis FC face Saudi Arabia’s King Cup holders Al Taawoun FC on Matchday Three of the 2020 AFC Champions League Group C on Tuesday.
With the action having been halted after two rounds of matches, Al Taawoun sit top of the group with six points, while Al Duhail are second with three. Persepolis, the 2018 runners-up, and Sharjah have a point each.
Al Taawoun opened their second ever AFC Champion League campaign after 2017 with a narrow 1-0 win against Sharjah courtesy of Faisal Darwish, then followed it up on Matchday Two with a 2-0 upset against Al Duhail as Mohamed Al Sahlawi lobbed in a fumbled clearance before teammate Abdulmajeed Al Swat left-footed a low shot into the bottom corner.
A repeat of the 2018 AFC Champions League quarter-final saw Al Duhail beat Persepolis 2-0 with goals from Mario Mandzukic and Edmilson. The Tehran-based side later played out a 1-1 draw with Sharjah as both sides collected their first point of the campaign.
Having reached back-to-back semi-finals in 2017 and 2018, Persepolis need to avoid defeat in their double header against group leaders Al Taawoun if they are to avoid a second group stage exit in a row.
Conversely, the Saudis could seal qualification to the Round of 16 for the first time in their history should they collect all six points from their next two games.
For Sharjah, the back-to-back clashes against Al Duhail represent the last opportunity to stay in contention upon their return to the competition after a 16-year absence.
Whichever way the results go at the Education City Stadium on Tuesday then Friday, the four Group C teams will go into the final two matchdays next week with a clearer idea on where they stand.
And by the time the following weekend rolls over, the group table might look very different to how it currently does. But should Al Hilal and Pakhtakor exchange victories in their Matchday Three and Matchday Four encounters, the task could become more difficult for Shabab Al Ahli and Shahr Khodro, especially if neither of them walks away with all six points on September Monday and Thursday.
Group D
Former continental champions Al Ain FC and Al Sadd SC go head to head while Islamic Republic of Iran’s Sepahan FC take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr in Group D of the 2020 AFC Champions League on Tuesday.
The February rounds of games saw Al Sadd lead the group with four points, with away goals separating them from runners-up Al Nassr. Sepahan lurk close behind with three points while Al Ain are yet to get off the mark.
Xavi’s Al Sadd needed an own goal from Al Nassr’s Abdulelah Al Amri to rescue a valuable 2-2 draw against the Saudi Arabian side on the opening day, but were in devastating form as they brushed aside Sepahan 3-0 on Matchday Two, with Hassan Al Haydos hitting a six-minute second half brace to add to Akram Afif’s opener.
Sepahan were the heroes of the group’s biggest upset, downing Al Ain 4-0, with the pick of the four coming as Brazilian forward Kiros pounced on a defensive error and lobbed keeper Khaled Eissa.
Life got marginally better for Al Ain in their second game against Al Nassr, but it was not enough for the competition’s inaugural winners to avoid another defeat.
With the score tied 1-1, striker Abderrazaq Hamdallah snatched the ball from Al Ain goalkeeper Khalid Eisa 10 minutes from the final whistle, to slot home the winner for the Saudis.
With a point separating Al Nassr and Sepahan, the two sides are eyeing maximum points from their two clashes to move as close as possible to qualification before the final two matchdays.
Al Sadd have reached the semi-finals in the past two editions of the competition and, having strengthened their ranks with Spanish midfielder Santi Cazorla, will hope for a second straight win to cement their position at the top of the Group D table, while Al Ain cannot afford to drop more points. (the-afc.com)
