Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma of South Korea and Zob Ahan of Iran will face off in AFC Champions League Final

Seongnam Ilhwa of South Korea and Zob Ahan of Iran will meet in Tokyo on November 13th to determine the winner.

South Korean side Pohang Steelers won the tournament in 2009.

30-year-old Columbian midfielder Mauricio Molina is the main creative threat for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

Wednesday 20th May: News

The Eastern European grip on the UEFA Cup, drawing to a close in the wake of the rebranded Europa League, stiffened as Shakhtar Donetsk became the first-ever Ukrainian team to win a European contest following on from the breakup of the Soviet Union. Brazilian duo Luiz Adriano and Jádson stole the accolades for Shakhtar, who were forced into extra-time once opposing compatriot Naldo equalised from a 30-year free-kick for Bundesliga outfit Werder Bremen.

After seven successive seasons of sporting a top-flight status in Italy, Reggina were demoted to Serie B as Mauro Zarate pounced in the 26th minute to hand recently-crowned Coppa Italia victors Lazio the entire points haul. Coach Nevio Orlandi conceded that they could offer no excuses for their unacceptable season, which has delivered just six victories and the worst strike-rate in the entire division.

The Newcastle Jets advanced through to the AFC Champions League Knockout Stages as they overcame their Korean rivals Ulsan Hyundai, with Jason Hoffman’s sole effort securing the win in Group E.

FC Twente have prepared for their assault on next season’s UEFA Champions League with the signature of Iraqi midfielder Nashat Akram, who received third-place in the race for the 2007 Asian Player of the Year award.

Bulgarian international Stiliyan Petrov, Aston Villa’s Players’ and Supporters’ Player of the Season, has signed a new deal at Villa Park which will extend his stay through to 2013.

Singapore Grasp ‘Significant Milestone’ As Medan Plunge At The Death

Singapore Armed Forces FC reached the promised-land of the AFC Champions League and elevated themselves on par with Asia’s finest for the very first time as they scarcely overcame Indonesia’s PSMS Medan 2-1 to advance through to the group stages for the nation's very first time. The spectacle ignited into animation after the initial 90 minutes were complete as SAF were forced to deliver in extra-time, aided in their cause when two PSMS players were sent off.

Singapore Armed Forces seized the lead in the 36th minute when Therdsak Chaiman contributed to their international campaign once again by scoring past opposing goalkeeper Markus Harison. It took only six minutes into the second half for PSMS to peg back on level ground with Mario Costas at the centre of their gratitude but as the 90 minutes failed to distinguish a clear victor, the next thirty minutes proved to demolish their hopes and aspirations for progressing past the qualification phase. Octavianus Maniani and Edi Sukamto saw red for picking up a second yellow card each and Admad Latiff scored the goal that literally shot the club to stardom and glory in Asia’s lucrative contest.

The S-League champions will mix their identity with Japanese counterparts Kashima Antlers, former AFC winners Suwon Bluewings and Shanghai Shenhua of China. Ho Peng Kee, president of the Football Associated of Singapore, spoke of his hope that the breakthrough will encourage ‘the other clubs to raise the quality of play so that we can continue to get closer to Asian standards’.

Dempo endured a contrasting fortune as their dream of becoming the first Indian club to qualify for the tournament remained unfulfilled for another season as defeat to Al Sharjah of the UEA signalled their premature exit.

A Week Of Champions

The quest for continental fame, fortune and prosperity extends itself beyond the horizons of Europe’s UEFA Champions League as the skirmish to land silverware becomes apparent throughout the globe. The captivating duel between Ferguson and Mourinho might be set for a return to our screens tonight but over the coming hours and days, the crowns of the six continents move a footstep closer to being resolved and we look towards the forthcoming fixture schedule.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SECOND ROUND
Tuesday 24th February
Atletico Madrid – FC Porto
Olympique Lyonnais – FC Barcelona
Arsenal FC – AS Roma
Internazionale – Manchester United

Wednesday 25th February
Chelsea FC – Juventus
Villarreal CF – Panathinaikos
Sporting Lisbon – Bayern Munich
Real Madrid – Liverpool FC

CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTER-FINALS
Tuesday 24th February
Houston Dynamo – Atlante FC

Wednesday 25th February
CD SC Cruz Azul - Pumas UNAM
Impact de Montreal - Club Santos Laguna

Thursday 26th February
Puerto Rico Islanders - CD Marathon

CONMEBOL COPA LIBERTADORES GROUP STAGES
Tuesday 24th February
Deportivo Cuenca – Club Guarani (Group 2)
Independiente Medellin – Defensor Sporting (Group 4)

Wednesday 25th February
FC Caracas – Lanus (Group 6)
Deportivo Quito – Cruziero (Group 5)
CD Guadalajara – Everton (Group 6)
Gremio – Universidad de Chile (Group 7)

Thursday 26th February
San Luis Potosi – Libertad (Group 8)
Estudiantes La Plata – Universidad de Sucre (Group 5)

AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING PLAY-OFF
Wednesday 25th February
Singapore Armed Forces – PSMS Medan (East Asia Final)
Sherjah – Dempo (West Asia Final)

UEFA and CONCACAF Champions League fixtures are first-leg ties while the AFC Champions League Play-Offs are decided over a single match.

AFC Elite In Mind For Singapore Armed Forces As Duric Double Batters Balestier

Singapore Armed Forces started off their defence of the S.League with an extremely comfortable 3-0 victory against Balestier Khalsa. After progressing through to the AFC Champions League Final Qualifier by overcoming Provincial Electricity Authority of Thailand in extra-time last week, Singapore Armed Forces could quite easily have shown moments of complacency but instead prepared for the upcoming continental match in a professional and almost perfect manner.

Aleksander Duric, twice the winner of the S.League Player of the Year, must undoubtedly be the favourite to retain the award for a third occasion as the Yugoslavia-born Singapore international striker scored twice before the first-half came to an end. Japanese midfielder Masahiro Fukasawa ensured the Armed Forces were left with the entire points haul after scoring on 74 minutes.

The priority now remains to seal their standing in the AFC Champions League by dispelling the threat posed by Indonesia's PSMS Medan. Such an act would signal the start of Singapore's presence in the competition and break barriers that have to date remained unsurpassed as no club from the country has ever advanced beyond the qualification phase.

Is Sabri Lamouchi a Difference Maker?

37-year-old French midfielder Sabri Lamouchi is now at the Qatari league's Umm-Salal. After winning the 2008 Emir of Qatar Cup, the club has qualified for the Group Stage of 2009 AFC Champions League.

Lamouchi was a member of France's semi-final squad at Euro 1996. He has played for European clubs AJ Auxerre, Monaco, and Parma. And even spent time with Italian giants Inter Milan.

Now well past his prime, can Lamouchi lead the Qatari squad deep into the AFC Champions League? Stay tuned in 2009 to find out.

AFC Champions League: Urawa March To Semi-Final

An all-Japanese semi-final will take place in the AFC Champions League as defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds and Gamba Osaka were drawn together. Three clubs from Japan could have made it to the last four but Australia’s Adelaide United beat Kashima Antlers 2-1 on aggregate to terminate any possibilities.

Urawa Red Diamonds beat Kuwait’s Al Qadsia with a 4-3 scoreline over both legs, while Gamba Osaka overcame the challenge of Al Karama of Syria.

Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan face Adelaide in pursuit of a place in the final. Bunyodkor have risen to headlines for their transfer activity as they turned to Brazilians to guide them to success. Zico has joined on a one-year basis to manage the club, while Rivaldo couldn’t resist a final lucrative contract, an offer he admitted as "very good for the end of my career". A victory over Iran’s Saipa FC secured a place in the prestigous AFC Champions League semi-final.

Both semi-final legs will take place on October 8th and 22nd.