https://www.scmp.com/rss/318226/feed The 2015 AFC Champions League is the 34th edition of the top-level Asian club football tournament organised by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC), and the 13th under the current AFC Champions League title. The tournament is the top continental competition for football teams in Asia. It has existed in various guises since 1967 but the current format dates back to 2002. In 2014, Australia's Western Sydney Wanderers won the title en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The car company that sponsors the shirts of Asia's newly crowned football champions has launched legal action against the club for changing their kit for Saturday's AFC Champions League final, the firm said. Chinese-Japanese firm Dongfeng Nissan paid more than 100 million yuan for the season-long rights to Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao's apparel, according to Xinhua. The official red shirts are emblazoned with the firm's name in Chinese, along with a car model number. But when the team took the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1882541/getting-shirty-nissans-fury-over-guangzhou-evergrande-kit-switch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1882541/getting-shirty-nissans-fury-over-guangzhou-evergrande-kit-switch?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Nov 2015 04:45:30 +0000 A moment of magic from Brazil's Elkeson earned China's Guangzhou Evergrande their second AFC Champions League title in three years last night after a tense second leg of their final against Al Ahli. The striker's instinctive turn and toe-poke on 54 minutes finally unlocked the Emirati team's defence to earn a 1-0 win for Luiz Felipe Scolari's side after the first leg in Dubai ended goalless. The victory was wildly celebrated at a packed Tianhe stadium - with more than 50,000 in the stands -... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1881678/elkeson-turns-magic-guangzhou-evergrande-clinch-their-second-afc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1881678/elkeson-turns-magic-guangzhou-evergrande-clinch-their-second-afc?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Nov 2015 18:15:05 +0000 As Guangzhou Evergrande play for their second Asian Champions League title in three years Saturday, the influx of money, big name stars and coaches to the Chinese Super League has done little to halt the continuing woes of China's national team. Chinese fans are accustomed to World Cup disappointment, with their team qualifying just once in 2002. The last three attempts all ended with China failing to reach the final round of qualification, and after a goalless draw against Hong Kong on Tuesday,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1880431/can-guangzhou-win-champions-league-lift-depressed-china-football-fans?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1880431/can-guangzhou-win-champions-league-lift-depressed-china-football-fans?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Nov 2015 03:45:30 +0000 Guangzhou Evergrande take the advantage back to China for the second leg of the Asian Champions League final after a scoreless first leg with Al Ahli on Saturday. Guangzhou will host the second leg in two weeks, with a good chance of winning their second Asian Champions League in three years. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari downplayed any advantage, however. If we still play like this, it will be difficult for us, we did not play well tonight Luiz Felipe Scolari “If we still play like this, it will be... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1876725/advantage-guangzhou-evergrande-after-first-leg-stalemate-against-al-ahli?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1876725/advantage-guangzhou-evergrande-after-first-leg-stalemate-against-al-ahli?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Nov 2015 03:35:53 +0000 Unlike in 2013, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari insists Guangzhou Evergrande's run to this year's AFC Champions League final has been largely down to the talent of local, rather than imported talent. Guangzhou have quickly gained a reputation as one of the biggest spenders in Asia, and have a squad and coaching staff to match, and are on the verge of landing a fifth consecutive Chinese Super League title and second continental crown after Wednesday night's goalless draw in Japan with Gamba Osaka,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1870651/success-guangzhou-evergrande-all-down-chinese-stars-insists-scolari?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1870651/success-guangzhou-evergrande-all-down-chinese-stars-insists-scolari?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:45:00 +0000 On the eve of Wednesday night's crucial AFC Champions League soccer semi-final second leg with Japan’s Gamba Osaka, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari joked he would accept the offer of a draw which would secure Guangzhou Evergrande’s return to the final of the continental competition. At the moment that should be the minimum 2013 champions Guangzhou expect from every game with Scolari unbeaten as coach of the four-time Chinese Super League champions, who themselves have not lost in five months in any... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1870197/scolari-jokes-about-draw-thats-all-he-needs-guangzhou-evergrande-reach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1870197/scolari-jokes-about-draw-thats-all-he-needs-guangzhou-evergrande-reach?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 20 Oct 2015 15:15:30 +0000 Guangzhou Evergrande coach Luiz Felipe Scolari made a speedy departure from Tianhe Sport Centre Stadium on Wednesday night to scout preseason training bases in Portugal, a camp which he hopes will be the start of the 2016 season for the prospective Chinese and continental champions. Four-time domestic champions Guangzhou are currently two points clear of Shanghai SIPG at the top of the Super League table with only three games remaining, and after beating Japan's Gamba Osaka 2-1 at home in an AFC... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1863023/guangzhou-evergrande-seize-advantage-stirring-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1863023/guangzhou-evergrande-seize-advantage-stirring-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2015 15:30:15 +0000 Guangzhou Evergrande soccer coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is a man of few words, but with his Chinese Super League champions unbeaten in four months ahead of Wednesday's AFC Champions League semi-final first leg against Japan's Gamba Osaka, the Brazilian is happy to let results do the talking. The 2013 continental champions and Chinese Super League leaders have not tasted defeat since losing the first leg of their AFC Champions League last-16 tie with Seongnam FC in South Korea at the end of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1862528/guangzhou-evergrande-coach-scolari-confident-ahead-clash-gamba-osaka?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1862528/guangzhou-evergrande-coach-scolari-confident-ahead-clash-gamba-osaka?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 29 Sep 2015 16:00:06 +0000 The seemingly irresistible Guangzhou Evergrande train keeps on rolling down the tracks towards more silverware as Luiz Felipe Scolari’s men secured safe passage into the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League after a gritty 1-1 draw with Kashiwa Reysol yesterday Guangzhou, who on Saturday’s beat Shanghai SIPG 3-0 to regain the lead in the Chinese Super League, earned a 4-2 aggregate victory as they seek a repeat of their 2013 Champions League triumph. When the two sides had met in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1858603/guangzhou-evergrande-reach-afc-champions-league-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1858603/guangzhou-evergrande-reach-afc-champions-league-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2015 15:27:57 +0000 Continued success in the AFC Champions League has seen Chinese Super League teams move onto par with rivals from the much-heralded Japanese J-League, according to Guangzhou Evergrande coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Fifa World Cup-winning Brazilian Scolari returned to Asia over the summer after replacing Italian Fabio Cannavaro as Guangzhou coach, having enjoyed a brief spell in charge of Japan's Jubilo Iwata in 1997. And ahead of Guangzhou's AFC Champions League quarter-final second leg with Kashiwa... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1858200/chinese-super-league-just-good-japans-says-guangzhou-evergrande-coach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1858200/chinese-super-league-just-good-japans-says-guangzhou-evergrande-coach?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2015 17:00:15 +0000 Guangzhou Evergrande took a major step towards booking a berth in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League with a 3-1 win over Kashiwa Reysol in Japan on Tuesday night. The star-studded Chinese football team, under World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, were inspired by former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho in the first-leg quarter-final matchup.  That was definitely the best goal of my career Paulinho on scoring from a free kick from 40 yards Paulinho, making his debut in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1852550/paulinho-inspires-guangzhou-evergrande-3-1-victory-over-kashiwa-reysol?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1852550/paulinho-inspires-guangzhou-evergrande-3-1-victory-over-kashiwa-reysol?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Aug 2015 16:45:45 +0000 Guangzhou Evergrande soccer coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has a point to prove after past failures in the Asian Champions League, and with his star-studded Chinese team in fine form, there is much to be confident about going into the quarter-finals. The 2002 World Cup-winning coach was hired by Uzbekistan’s Bunyokdor in 2009 charged with delivering the continental crown. The Tashkent team was eliminated at the 2009 quarter-finals and only made it as far as the second round in 2010 before the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1852311/scolari-has-point-prove-after-past-failures-asian-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1852311/scolari-has-point-prove-after-past-failures-asian-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Aug 2015 16:32:37 +0000 Guangzhou Evergrande sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday night with coach Fabio Cannavaro hailing the club's Chinese players. They saw off South Korea's Seongnam FC with a 2-0 win at Tianhe Stadium that ensured a 3-2 aggregate win. In the absence of four key foreigners, [the Chinese players] had a lot of responsibility and they achieved a great victory Guangzhou Evergrande coach Fabio Cannavaro Two goals from Ricardo Goulart, who opened the scoring... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1811070/guangzhou-evergrande-reach-afc-champions-league-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1811070/guangzhou-evergrande-reach-afc-champions-league-quarter-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 May 2015 16:46:49 +0000 Brazilian substitute Edu struck the only goal as Jeonbuk Motors beat Beijing Guoan 1-0 in China on Tuesday night to advance to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League 2-1 on aggregate. As it’s the rainy season in Guangzhou, it’s a concern whether the players can perform to their utmost on a wet surface Fabio Cannavaro The hosts had looked set to collect the goalless draw they required to reach the last eight for the first time before Edu escaped attention to slot home in the 73rd... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1810026/beijing-guoan-bow-out-afc-champions-league-guangzhou-evergrande-step?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1810026/beijing-guoan-bow-out-afc-champions-league-guangzhou-evergrande-step?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 May 2015 16:33:32 +0000 While a goalless draw will be enough to see Beijing Guoan advance to the last eight of the AFC Champions League for the first time, head coach Gregorio Manzano is targeting a win for his Chinese Super League side in the second leg of their last-16 meeting with Jeonbuk Motors on Tuesday night. The teams drew the first leg 1-1 in South Korea last week thanks to a late penalty from Pablo Batalla, and that goal means the capital-based club can squeeze into the draw for the quarter-finals if... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1808836/gregorio-manzano-beijing-guoan-will-go-win-against-jeonbuk-motors?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1808836/gregorio-manzano-beijing-guoan-will-go-win-against-jeonbuk-motors?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 25 May 2015 13:27:19 +0000 A dubious injury-time penalty could end up costing Guangzhou Evergrande as Fabio Cannavaro's side slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Seongnam FC in the first leg of their round-of-16 clash in the AFC Champions League. Evergrande looked set to hold on for a well-deserved away draw, despite playing the final 25 minutes with 10 men, but Kim Do-heon converted from the spot six minutes into added time to give the South Koreans victory on Wednesday night. The players are angry because it was a tough... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1804883/injury-time-penalty-sinks-guangzhou-evergrande-afc-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1804883/injury-time-penalty-sinks-guangzhou-evergrande-afc-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 May 2015 16:39:23 +0000 Pablo Batalla's penalty five minutes from time earned Beijing Guoan a 1-1 draw against Jeonbuk Motors last night, giving Gregorio Manzano's side a crucial away goal ahead of the second leg of their AFC Champions League round of 16 clash at the Workers' Stadium in the capital next week. As expected, it was a tough game, especially in the first half after conceding. But despite the difficulties, we didn't stay defensive and we kept attacking and we missed some chances Gregorio Manzano Beijing, who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1804189/advantage-beijing-guoan-after-hard-fought-champions-league-draw-south?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1804189/advantage-beijing-guoan-after-hard-fought-champions-league-draw-south?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2015 16:41:27 +0000 Beijing Guoan have never advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League, but coach Gregorio Manzano is hoping it will be third time lucky for the team from the nation's capital when they take on former champions Jeonbuk Motors in the first leg of their last 16 clash tonight. Twice Beijing have fallen at this hurdle - in 2010 and 2013 - and in their way stand the 2006 winners and the current leaders in South Korea. It will be a very difficult match as we know Jeonbuk is the leading... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1802493/beijing-guoan-face-tough-test-against-jeonbuk-motors-quest-afc-champions?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1802493/beijing-guoan-face-tough-test-against-jeonbuk-motors-quest-afc-champions?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 May 2015 15:01:43 +0000 Shandong Luneng have missed out on becoming a record third Chinese Super League side to reach the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League. The Cuca-coached side slumped to a 4-1 defeat on Wednesday night in group E against former champions Jeonbuk Motors. Shandong needed to win to join Guangzhou Evergrande and Beijing Guoan in the next phase, but slipped behind to a goal from Lee Jae-sung in the 25th minute. Wang Tong equalised for Shandong on half-time, but they crashed with a poor... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1787900/shandong-luneng-fail-make-knockout-stage-afc-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1787900/shandong-luneng-fail-make-knockout-stage-afc-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 06 May 2015 17:08:59 +0000 Montenegrin striker Dejan Damjanovic was on target as Beijing Guoan picked up the point required to join Guangzhou Evergrande in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League last night with a 1-1 draw against Suwon Bluewings. Damjanovic, whose goals steered FC Seoul to the final in 2013 before his move to the Chinese Super League at the start of last year, netted 25 minutes into the game to give Beijing the ideal start to a game they had to avoid losing if they wantedto advance. We can play... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1787253/beijing-guoan-cement-spot-knockout-stage-asian-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1787253/beijing-guoan-cement-spot-knockout-stage-asian-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 May 2015 16:45:07 +0000 Dejan Damjanovic returns to South Korea on Tuesday night aiming to steer Beijing Guoan into the knockout phase of the AFC Champions League for the second time in three seasons. Beijing take on Suwon Bluewings knowing a draw will be enough to guarantee they progress to the round of 16 as winners of group G, and coach Gregorio Manzano is looking for Damjanovic to be the difference between the teams once again. The Montenegro international striker scored the only goal of the teams' meeting in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1786067/beijing-guoan-eye-afc-champions-league-last-16-place-against-suwon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1786067/beijing-guoan-eye-afc-champions-league-last-16-place-against-suwon?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 04 May 2015 15:07:49 +0000 Guangzhou R&F’s hopes of joining cross-city soccer rivals Guangzhou Evergrande in the knockout phase of the AFC Champions League are in tatters after a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of former champions Gamba Osaka on Wednesday night. Gamba, winners of the continental title in 2008, avenged a two-goal defeat against R&F in the opening round of matches in February in emphatic fashion with Brazilian Patric and Hiroyuki Abe both scoring twice before Takashi Usami completed the rout 20 minutes from... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1773929/guangzhou-rfs-hopes-shattered-afc-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1773929/guangzhou-rfs-hopes-shattered-afc-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Apr 2015 17:15:15 +0000 A draw will be enough to take Guangzhou Evergrande through to the last 16 of the AFC Champions League for a fourth straight season, but head coach Fabio Cannavaro is demanding victory over FC Seoul in the South Korean capital on Tuesday evening. Guangzhou handed Choi Yong-soo’s side a 1-0 defeat on match day two in the first meeting between the teams since Evergrande defeated the Koreans on away goals in the final of the continental championship in 2013, and the Italian World Cup winner is... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1772338/fabio-cannavaro-wants-nothing-less-guangzhou-evergrande-victory-against?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1772338/fabio-cannavaro-wants-nothing-less-guangzhou-evergrande-victory-against?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 20 Apr 2015 14:00:45 +0000 Tomoaki Makino’s goal 16 minutes from time denied Beijing Guoan a fourth straight win in the AFC Champions League, but their 1-1 draw with Urawa Reds on Wednesday night saw the capital soccer club move a step closer to a place in the knockout phase.  The point secured from the draw with the J.League side takes Beijing to 10 points from four games, leaving Gregorio Manzano’s side needing only a point from their final two group G fixtures to reach the round of 16 for the second time in three... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1761303/beijing-guoan-just-need-point-reach-afc-champions-league-round-16?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1761303/beijing-guoan-just-need-point-reach-afc-champions-league-round-16?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 08 Apr 2015 16:00:00 +0000 Guangzhou Evergrande will have to wait at least another two weeks before confirming their place in the knockout phase of the AFC Champions League after an injury-time header from Hiroyuki Takasaki condemned the former champions to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Kashima Antlers. After defending champions Western Sydney Wanderers were held to a 1-1 draw by FC Seoul in Tuesday's other group H fixture, victory in Japan would have secured Evergrande a place in the round of 16 for the fourth season in a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1759854/guangzhou-evergrandes-march-knockout-phase-put-hold-afc-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1759854/guangzhou-evergrandes-march-knockout-phase-put-hold-afc-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Apr 2015 16:15:22 +0000 When Guangzhou Evergrande ended China's 23-year wait for a continental title at the end of 2013, the side from Guangdong province did it thanks to goals from a Brazilian import. Now under the control of former World Cup-winning defender Fabio Canavarro, the four-time Chinese Super League champions have a new hero from the South American country famed for producing world-class strikers. In 2013, it was Muriqui who found the net 13 times for Guangzhou. This year, compatriot Ricardo Goulart is the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1741492/ricardo-goulart-inspires-guangzhou-evergrande-4-3-win-over-kashima?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1741492/ricardo-goulart-inspires-guangzhou-evergrande-4-3-win-over-kashima?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:15:45 +0000 Beijing Guoan left it late in their 2-0 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds as Gregorio Manzano's side moved closer to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League on an otherwise disappointing night for Chinese Super League sides. Argentinian midfielder Pablo Batalla broke the deadlock with 12 minutes left at Beijing's Workers Stadium on Tuesday night before setting up Yu Dabao to make sure of a third consecutive win for last year's Super League runners-up six minutes later. With joint second... https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1740642/beijing-guoan-course-knockout-stage-afc-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1740642/beijing-guoan-course-knockout-stage-afc-champions-league?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 17 Mar 2015 16:45:45 +0000 Teams from China, and particularly those from the southern city of Guangzhou, have a knack of adapting well to life in the AFC Champions League. Guangzhou Evergrande won the continental title, China’s first since 1990, less than 18 months ago in just their second AFC Champions League appearance having reached the quarter-finals on their debut a year earlier. This is a crucial match for us Cosmin Contra, Guangzhou R&F coach And cross-city rivals Guangzhou R&F had seemingly proven they deserve... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1739437/guangzhou-rf-host-seongnam-crunch-asian-champions-league-game?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/1739437/guangzhou-rf-host-seongnam-crunch-asian-champions-league-game?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 16 Mar 2015 13:30:00 +0000