Asian Football ~ General Chat & Latest News

[AVSLisboa]

Ulsan Horang I 2 - 2 Jeju United i
Saturday September 15, 07 Suwon Bluewings 0 - 0 Gwangju Sangmu i
Saturday September 15, 07 Pohang Steelers 1 - 0 Chunnam Dragons i
Saturday September 15, 07 FC Seoul 2 - 1 Daejeon Citizen i
Saturday September 15, 07 Seongnam Ilhwa 2 - 1 Jeonbuk Motors i
Saturday September 15, 07 Busan I Park 0 - 0 Incheon United i
Sunday September 16, 07 Daegu FC 1 - 3 Gyeongnam FC

[AVSLisboa]

Japan - J-League
September 15

FT Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2 - 4 Urawa Red Diamonds

FT Shimizu S-Pulse 2 - 0 Ventforet Kofu

FT JEF United Chiba 4 - 2 Vissel Kobe

FT Kawasaki Frontale 2 - 2 Oita Trinita

FT Nagoya Grampus Eight 3 - 0 Kashima Antlers

FT Omiya Ardija 0 - 2 Jubilo Iwata

FT Yokohama FC 0 - 2 FC Tokyo

September 16

FT Albirex Niigata 1 - 2 Kashiwa Reysol

FT Gamba Osaka 0 - 2 Yokohama F.Marinos

[Oscar Cardozo]

"Our first target is to catch up with Sengkang Punggol, knowing that there are only nine matches left,” he told Singapore's official site.
“We are two wins away from catching them, and getting lifted off the bottom of the league. So our immediate task is to catch Sengkang Punggol first, and I think we can do it.
“There are 27 points left to be played, and if we can get five wins, I think we can get off the bottom.”
While acquiescent that his team’s performance in its last match was below par, Bala - as he is commonly known - is only concerning himself with looking ahead.
“We were a bit on the low side, but the graph cannot always be going up. We slid down a bit, and are hoping to pick it up a bit now. In the Gombak (United) match we didn’t play well, and collapsed in the second half of the match, largely due to very tired bodies. Three games in eight days took their toll on us.
“But after a bit of rest, the players are all recharged, and are looking forward to the match.”
Winning five games might seem like a tall order for the Super Reds, considering that they have only won two of the 24 matches they have played all season. However, despite being the whipping boys of the league in the first half of the season, the Koreans have experienced a reversal of fortunes of sorts lately. Save for the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Gombak, they have looked like a solid, organised unit, and were hugely unfortunate not to get any points against title chasers Home United.
And insofar as Geylang United’s condemnation of Sengkang to a 4-0 defeat kept the Dolphins within sight of the Super Reds, the Koreans can expect no more favours from their next opponents, themselves a side that has shaken off the poor form that plagued them earlier in the season.
Having strengthened their attacking options, an area that had looked suspect early in the season, things have now seemed to turn a corner for the Eagles. The Super Reds will have to do without regular custodian Im Su Dong and inspirational midfielder-turned-centreback Nam Woung Ki, both of whom were sent off against the Young Lions on national television two weeks back.Young keeper Yoon Sung Hui is likely to start in goal again, and skipper Lee Tae Hoon will also be available as well after serving out his suspension.
Interestingly enough, one of the Super Reds’ two wins to date came against Geylang early in the season, but the Eagles banished the demons of that loss with a 4-0 win at Yishun Stadium. The Super Reds defence will have their work cut out as they attempt to keep a defensive lid on Hafiz Rahim, scorer of a hat-trick against Sengkang. They would, however, be relieved to hear of the injury concern that Geylang coach Lim Tong Hai has over Leopoldino dos Santos. The Brazilian forward, signed only a month ago, has added much-needed bite to the Geylang attack, but is a doubt for the game as he is struggling with a hamstring injury.
Nonetheless, Geylang will be boosted by the returns of Thai midfielder Rangsan Vivatchaichok and Moroccan Abdelaziz Dnibi from suspension.
Lim is not fooled by the Super Reds’ unenviable position at the foot of the table. “If you look at their past seven matches, they have had only two losses, which were narrow, and something like five draws.
“In the window they signed players who can hold up the fort, so it’s never going to be easy playing against them. So don’t be conned just because they’re at the bottom, they certainly don’t look that way when they play. Even when they were playing with ten men they were still a force to be reckoned with. So even when they are without their first choice [players], they can still put up a good show, which shows the amount of depth they have in the team.”
A steadily improving Geylang, whose three wins and a draw from their last five matches have allowed them to sneak up insidiously on the Young Lions, know the task at hand.
“We would like to remain in the top half, and must take one game at a time. We have to focus on teamwork and try to get as many points as we can.”
Jonathan Ng Wen Hao
Goal.com - Asia - Singapore: Korean Super Reds Aim To Climb Off Bottom

[Freddy Adu]

Cambodia:Phnom Penh On Top

Empire, who has yet to concede a defeat in six matches, were the first off the block when Akpeeze Kenneth scored the opener in the 25th minute before Ajayi Gbenga Samual added the second on 30th.

Kuoch So Kumphiak then pull a goal back for Khemara on 36th minute which seems to inspire them to put the pressure on Empire to concede a penalty in the 45th minute which was converted by Srey Veasna.

Khemara then took the lead for the first time in the match when Abosede Olabode Paul scored in the 55th minute.

But whatever thoughts of winning the full points at home were dashed when Hok Sochivorne nailed the double with goals in the 65th and then deep in injury time for Empire to move up to the top of the table.

However, the win was scant relief for Empire to put a buffer against their nearest challengers as Naga Corp FC had little difficulty in scoring a 2-0 win over Build Bright University FC.

Two goals from Teap Vathanak in the 13th and 69th minute were enough to see off Build Bright for Naga Corp collect 14 points – the same as Phnom Penh Empire – from six matches.

Incidentally, both Empire and Naga Corp are on the same four wins, two draws and without a defeat from six matches.

In the meantime, Lion Squad FC added further pressure on bottom side Baksey Chamkrong FC when they defeated the latter 3-0.

Two goals from Seth Camel (9th and 81st minute) and another from Akeeptunji Ayoyinka in the 78th minute ensured Lion Squad their three points from the match for them to move to mid-table.

CAMBODIAN PREMIER LEAGUE STANDINGS

1. PHNOM PENH EMPIRE 14pts (+24)

2. NAGA CORP 14pts (+14)

3. KHEMARA KEYLA 12 pts (+23)

4. RED EAGLE 7pts (+1)

5. LION SQUAD 7 pts (-11)

6. BUILD BRIGHT UNIVERSITY 6pts (-2)

7. ROYAL CAMBODIAN ARMED FORCES 5pts (+7)

8. BAKSEY CHAMKRONG 3pts (-51)

Goal.com - Asia - Cambodia:Phnom Penh On Top

[Freddy Adu]

Japan Champs Expect To Be Kicked In Korea

The Japanese champions dominated the first leg last week but only won 2-1 as Choi Jin-cheul scored a last-minute goal to give the Asian champions a precious away goal.

Osieck believes his team is in for a bruising battle.

"Jeonbuk are a team that are more physical and as not as skillful as a team like (Yokohama F.) Marinos, who have players like Marques that play decent football," the German told reporters.

"They will play more long balls and have power and a physical presence in players like Ze Carlo and (Stevica) Ristic. It is going to be tough and I am pretty sure they are going to kick our players all over the park.

"But we won't be intimidated. First of all we want to play football. If you start kicking you lose your focus and that is not our style," said Osieck.

If in-form Urawa manage to become the first Japanese club to lift the continental title they will qualify for December’s Club World Cup that will be held in Japan.

"It is a major target for us to advance to the semifinals," said Osieck. "I think if you lose in the J. League you still have the opportunity to bounce back but if we don't do well on Wednesday then we are out.

"There can be no excuses. We have to defend our victory and play well and give them a game, not just sit back. It would be definitely very dangerous to sit back."

Goal.com - Asia - Japan Champs Expect To Be Kicked In Korea

[Freddy Adu]

History-Making Hussain First Arab In UEFA Cup

Portuguese striker Joao Tomas, formerly at Al-Arabi and Al-Rayyan of Qatar, recommended Hussain to Braga.

The 23-year old playmaker joined the club at the start of this season, at the end of a poor Asian Cup campaign for Qatar; and signed a one-year deal to be extended for a two-year contract should the player prove his mark in Portugal.

Hussain failed to move to Leicester City during the summer, as a work permit was declined by England FA as Qatar positioning on the FIFA world rankings ladder was judged insufficient according to the rules adapted by the body.

The naturalised Qatari citizen joined Manchester City in August 2005 but failed to break into the first team under coach Stuart Pearce and returned to the middle-east before heading to Portugal.

Goal.com - Asia - History-Making Hussain First Arab In UEFA Cup

[Freddy Adu]

Yokohama Want Return Of Prodigal Son Nakamura

The Celtic star left Yokohama in 2002 to sign for Italian outfit Reggina and then moved to Scotland in the summer of 2005.

Nakamura has been a revelation in Glasgow and Yokohama would not only face a fight from the Scottish champions but a number of big clubs all across Europe would also be interested in the signature of the Scottish Player of the year when his contract expires at the end of the current season.

Despite the competition, the three-time Japanese champions, according to Sports Hochi newspaper, ready to make an offer for the 29 year-old in December.

"Nakamura has not forgotten a debt of gratitude to the J-League for nurturing him," his agent Robert Takuda told the newspaper.

"He's seriously thinking about eventually wanting to give back to Japan the experience he acquired in Europe. We want to think about the Marinos as our number one option, but if that can't happen, which club he goes to will depend on future offers," Takuda added.

Goal.com - Asia - Reports: Yokohama Want Return Of Prodigal Son Nakamura

[Freddy Adu]

Seongnam, Al Wahda Complete Last Four Line-Up

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma of Korea won 2-0 at Al Karama while UAE’s Al Wahda went through on away goals with a 1-1 at the Saudi home of Al Hilal.

Al Karama 0 (1) - 2 (2) Seongnam – Seongnam win 4-1 on aggregate

For the second time in a year, Al Karama were dumped out of the competition by a team from South Korea –this time the champions. Seongnam became the first team to win at the fortress home of the Syrian giants in ten Asian Champions league games.

Defending a slender 2-1 lead from the first leg, the Koreans were ahead after just nine minutes as Brazilian striker Mota curled home a free-kick for his sixth goal of the tournament.

That left an uphill task for last season’s runners-up and when Kim Dong-hyun headed home a second-half goal, it was all over for the team from Homs.

Seongnam will meet Urawa Reds in the semi-final. The first leg takes place next Wednesday.

Al Hilal 1 (0) - 1 (0) Al Wahda - Al Wahda win on away goals

Al Hilal’s poor record in the Asian Champions League continued as the Saudi giants were dumped out on away goals by their UAE rivals.

After a goalless first leg, UAE national team starlet Ismail Matar finally broke the deadlock after 18 minutes of the second leg in Riyadh.

The hosts had a great chance to draw level but star of the Asian Cup Yasser Al-Qahtani missed a penalty just before the half-hour.

The scoreline stayed the same until the 86th minute when Al Hilal’s Libyan midfielder Tareq Al Taib shot home to ensure a frantic finish.

The UAE club will face Sepahan of Iran in the semi-finals.

Goal.com - Asia - ACL: Seongnam, Al Wahda Complete Last Four Line-Up

[Freddy Adu]

UAE: League New Boys Dhafra Bag Hungarian Star Waltner

The official signing is an historic one, this being the first time ever a Hungarian player completes a move to the Gulf nation.

“We are happy to announce the signing of Hungary reigning league’s top scorer with eight goals from seven matches, Róbert Waltner of Zalaegerszegi,” Al-Dhafra secretary general Ahmed Al-Qobaissi stated in the press conference following the player’s official signing.

“It was a hectic two-week of negotiations in Budapest with both club and player, who will get $200,000 over the one-year loan deal, and I am not ready to disclose the financial terms with the Hungarian side,” he added.

Zalaegerszegi TE FC are presently lying in seventh spot in Hungary.

Goal.com - Asia - UAE: League New Boys Dhafra Bag Hungarian Star Waltner

[Freddy Adu]

Qatar: Confusion Surrounds Keita Deal

“We understand that the player has signed for Ajaccio after signing for us as well. In this respect, we are talking to both parties in order to find a friendly outcome to this strange affair, and if not, we will be taking the whole thing to FIFA directly very soon,” an Al-Arabi spokesman announced on Wednesday.

The 20-year old former ES Entente de Setif midfielder completed a one-year transfer to the Doha outfit last month, before suddenly leaving Qatar and opting for Ajaccio.

“We badly need a combative defensive midfielder for the new season, so to complete the four foreign-player per club quota; that’s why we are pressuring Ajaccio to understand our position,” added the club official.

Goal.com - Asia - Qatar: Confusion Surrounds Keita Deal

[Freddy Adu]

Saudi League: Al-Ittihad Win Again

The three points came as Saudi Arabia league action resumed with three fixtures, champions Al-Ittihad maintained their four-point lead over Al-Ittifaq.

The 27-year old striker netted from the penalty spot on the half-hour mark, before being fouled in the 70th minute for skipper Mohamed Moor to add the second, also from the spot, to cancel out a 50th minute equaliser by home striker Safwan Al-Muwallid.

Ailing Al-Nasr of Riyadh failed to bounce back, after being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Al-Taei, as the Yellows remained stuck in the unfamiliar second-from-bottom spot, their worst start to the league since 1993.

Rampant Al-Ittifaq recorded their third successive league victory, a 5-1 home thrashing of Al-Qadisiya in the Eastern province big derby of the night.

The rest of the league are in action later in the week.

1: Al Ittihad 13 2: Al Ittifaq 9 3: Al Wahda 6 4: Al Hazm 5

Goal.com - Asia - Saudi League: Al-Ittihad Win Again

[Freddy Adu]

Advocaat To Decide Fate By Next Week

The Dutchman has been given an ultimatum by present employers Zenit St Petersburg.

With the Russian club leading the table, the chance of Champions League football led Advocaat to reconsider his original commitment. His contract ends in November.

"Dick Advocaat has promised to tell us straight after the weekend whether he's staying or going," Zenit's Director of Football Konstantin Sarsania told Australian broadcasters SBS.

"He's going to talk to his family about the Australian offer over the next few days and he says he will be guided by what they say."

"The wait is almost over and that is best for everybody concerned."

The man himself was keeping his cards close to his chest : "I think it's best for all parties involved that I don't comment publicly already been said,” said the former Rangers, Netherlands and South Korea coach.

"I'm very happy that we're top of the league and the team have been playing with well. As for my future, I am not prepared to discuss it until next month.''

Zenit are hoping that the lure of Champions League football will keep the 60-year old in Russia but the signs are that Advocaat will be the next Australian coach.

''He hasn't indicated to us what he will do and I have no idea what his decision will be,'' added Sarsania.''But he understands we need to know where we stand discover what he plans to do. Whatever he does, there are no ill feeling."

''He's done a great job for us and winning the championship would mean he could make history here.''

Goal.com - Asia - Advocaat To Decide Fate By Next Week

[D. Stankovic]

I always liked Advocaat and when Hiddink left, I wanted him to be the next coach, and if he replaces Arnold, I would be happy. Great coach.

[D. Stankovic]

Urawa has caught my eye, they have been so good lately

[Brasil]

Kazakhstan - Superliga
	October 23
FT	Tobol Kostanay	4 - 2	Alma Ata

[Freddy Adu]

Iraque vs Paquistão

Apuramento WC2010 - AFC | Pré-Eliminatória | Leg 2

Iraque Paquistão

Date 2007-10-28 City Stadium Referee

[Brasil]

WC Qualifying so far today :

WC 2010 qual. - Asia
20:21	October 28
FT	Hong Kong	8 - 1	Timor-Leste
Susp.	North Korea	0 - 0	Mongolia
FT	Myanmar	0 - 4	China
Postp.	Singapore	? - ?	Palestine
FT	Tajikistan	5 - 0	Bangladesh
FT	Nepal	0 - 2	Oman
FT	Taiwan	0 - 2	Uzbekistan
63'	Iraq	0 - 0	Pakistan
63'	Maldives	1 - 0	Yemen
20:45	Malaysia	? - ?	Bahrain
21:00	India	? - ?	Lebanon
21:00	Turkmenistan	? - ?	Cambodia
23:00	U.A.E.	? - ?	Vietnam

[Freddy Adu]

FT

Iraq

0 - 0

Pakistan

[egypt man]

Kuwait are unlikely to enter the Pan-Arab Games in Egypt on November 13th after FIFA's decision to ban the Gulf nation from all competitions.

The world governing body imposed a ban on Kuwait on Monday due to governmental interference in the national game.

Moreover, the Arab FA decided to abandon Kuwait's Al-Arabi from this year's Arab Champions League upon FIFA's order.

Consequently, it is likely that the AFA, the body in charge of next month's Arab competition, will sustain the ban for the Kuwaiti national team.

Kuwait were supposed to challenge Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Sudan in Group B.

[egypt man]

Kuwait are unlikely to enter the Pan-Arab Games in Egypt on November 13th after FIFA's decision to ban the Gulf nation from all competitions.

The world governing body imposed a ban on Kuwait on Monday due to governmental interference in the national game.

Moreover, the Arab FA decided to abandon Kuwait's Al-Arabi from this year's Arab Champions League upon FIFA's order.

Consequently, it is likely that the AFA, the body in charge of next month's Arab competition, will sustain the ban for the Kuwaiti national team.

Kuwait were supposed to challenge Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Sudan in Group B.

[egypt man]

Group B P W D L F A Pts Al Hilal (KSA) 4 2 2 0 5 1 8 Pakhtakor (UZB) 4 2 0 2 3 5 6 Al Kuwait (KUW) 4 0 2 2 2 4 2 Esteghlal (IRN) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

News | Fixtures & Results | Teams

Group C P W D L F A Pts Al Karama (SYR) 6 3 2 1 11 7 11 Neftchi (UZB) 6 3 1 2 6 7 10 Al Najaf (IRQ) 6 2 2 2 9 8 8 Al Sadd (QAT) 6 1 1 4 6 10 4

News | Fixtures & Results | Teams

Group D P W D L F A Pts Sepahan (IRN) 6 4 1 1 12 5 13 Al Shabab (KSA) 6 3 1 2 9 3 10 Al Ain (UAE) 6 1 3 2 5 8 6 Al Ittihad (SYR) 6 0 3 3 3 13 3

News | Fixtures & Results | Teams

Group E P W D L F A Pts Urawa Reds (JPN) 6 2 4 0 9 5 10 Sydney FC (AUS) 6 2 3 1 8 5 9 Persik Kediri (IDN) 6 2 1 3 6 16 7 Shanghai Shenhua (CHN) 6 1 2 3 7 4 5

News | Fixtures & Results | Teams

Group F P W D L F A Pts Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 6 5 1 0 15 4 16 Chunnam Dragons (KOR) 6 3 1 2 7 8 10 Arema Malang (IDN) 6 1 1 4 2 9 4 Bangkok University (THA) 6 0 3 3 4 7 3

News | Fixtures & Results | Teams

Group G P W D L F A Pts Seongnam Chunma (KOR) 6 4 1 1 13 6 13 Shandong Luneng (CHN) 6 4 1 1 12 8 13 Adelaide United (AUS) 6 2 2 2 9 6 8 Dong Tam Long An (VIE) 6 0 0 6 4 18 0

Group A

P W D L F A Pts Al Wahda (UAE) 6 4 1 1 13 6 13 Al Zawra'a (IRQ) 6 3 2 1 9 6 11 Al Arabi (KUW) 6 2 1 3 10 12 7 Al Rayyan (QAT) 6 0 2 4 3 11 2

[egypt man]

7/11/07 Knockout Stage Sepahan v Urawa Reds 14/11/07 Urawa Reds v Sepahan

Scoreboard 24/10/07 Knockout Stage Al Wahda 0 FT 0 Sepahan MATCH INDEX Urawa Reds 2 FT 2 Seongnam Chunma (AET, Pen 5:3) MATCH INDEX 3/10/07 Sepahan 3 FT 1 Al Wahda MATCH INDEX Seongnam Chunma 2 FT 2 Urawa Reds MATCH INDEX

[egypt man]

TOKYO – Urawa Reds will go into the first leg of the AFC Champions League final against Sepahan in Isfahan next week without captain Nobuhisa Yamada and defensive lynch-pin Marcus Tulio Tanaka.
Yamada suffered a torn muscle in his right calf during Reds’ semi-final second leg win over Seongnam Ilhwa Chu