Latest news with #ChampionsLeagueElite
News.com.au
30-04-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Auckland FC keen to take part in proposed OFC Professional League
Auckland FC's disappointment at being unable to compete in next season's AFC Champions League Elite competition may be tempered by the Black Knights' potential participation in next year's proposed OFC Professional League. A spot in the lucrative AFC Champions League Elite competition usually goes to the winner of the A-League premiership. However, despite winning the A-League Premier's Plate in their debut season, the Black Knights are ineligible to compete in an Asian Football Confederation competition as they are a club from New Zealand, which is part of the Oceania Football Confederation. The A-League's Champions League Elite representative next season will therefore be the team that finishes second on the ladder. With one round of the regular season remaining, four clubs – Melbourne City, Western United, Western Sydney Wanderers and Melbourne Victory – remain in contention for second spot. Auckland could yet play a part in determining who finishes second, with the Black Knights meeting Western United – placed third – at Ironbark Fields on Saturday night. And while the Steve Corica-coached Black Knights have switched their focus to adding the A-League championship to their premiership success by winning next month's finals series, they are also planning for next season in the hope of competing in the OFC Professional League, a planned new eight-team competition set to start in January involving Oceania clubs and potentially also including at least one Australian NPL club. As is the case with the AFC Champions League Elite, the winner of the OFC Professional League would have the chance to play in the FIFA Intercontinental Cup and every four years in the FIFA Club World Cup. Black Knights chief executive Nick Becker said the club had made a submission to be part of the OFC Professional League and had the support of the Australian Professional Leagues – which runs the A-League – the OFC and New Zealand Football. 'We're just waiting confirmation of whether we're accepted into the league and what the player regulations and all the infrastructures are,' Becker said. 'We don't have full visibility on player regulations on who can and can't compete in it and the number of A-League players we'd be able to field in that competition. 'We'd probably have to have effectively two squads … but we've got a decent-sized squad now, so we'd like to use as many of our own players as possible. 'It would be a good result to be in it to make up for (being unable to play in the AFC Champions League Elite competition).' Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand's other A-League club, has also made a submission to play in the OFC Professional League, which would conclude with a final in May next year.
Al Etihad
12-03-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Ronaldo spot kick helps Al Nassr into Asian Champions League last eight
11 Mar 2025 01:05 RIYADH (AFP)A Cristiano Ronaldo penalty and a double from Jhon Duran fired Al Nassr into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite on Monday, with a 3-0 second leg win over the Al Nassr captain, was reportedly rested for last week's goalless draw in the first leg in Iran, however returned to lead the side at Al Awwal scored from the spot midway through the first Nassr, one of three Saudi Arabian sides to dominate the west region's group stage, needed only nine minutes to take the lead in a winter signing from English Premier League side Aston Villa, picked up a loose ball on the right edge of the Esteghlal penalty area and floated a superb chip over goalkeeper Hossein marked the striker's first goal in the Nassr doubled their advantage on 27 minutes after Sadio Mane, a UEFA Champions League winner with Liverpool, drew a foul from rival midfielder Zobeir Niknafs inside the Esteghlal casually stroked the spot-kick into the centre of the net to take his tally in this year's Champions League Elite to seven goals in six Portuguese star is the leading scorer in this season's Saudi Pro League, with 18 night got even worse just before half-time when they were reduced to 10 men when Mehran Ahmadi inadvertently caught Al Nassr defender Mohammed Al Fatil with a stray arm in the face while trying to shield the upgraded the foul to a yellow card and, with Ahmadi having earlier been booked, he was promptly sent Nassr went close to adding a third at the beginning of the second half. First, Duran had an effort saved only for Ayman Yahya's rebound to be cleared off the later, Duran thumped the Esteghlal crossbar with a shot from Al Nassr forward would not be denied his second, though, dragging a low shot inside the near post after being teed up by former Chelsea winger Angelo.
