Latest news with #UlsanHyundai
IOL News
2 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Tashreeq Matthews ready for Mamelodi Sundowns' Fifa Club World Cup challenge
Tashreeq Matthews is buzzing with excitement as Mamelodi Sundowns prepare to compete in the Fifa Club World Cup in the US in the coming weeks. Since returning to South African football one and a half seasons ago, Matthews has worked hard to prove his worth after a challenging spell overseas. Now, he's a key figure in Sundowns' success story, helping the club secure back-to-back league titles and a place on the global stage. The Brazilians will make their first appearance at the tournament since 2016. They are in Group F alongside Ulsan Hyundai, Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense. Matthews has extensive background knowledge of German giants Dortmund, having spent seven years in their junior ranks, despite being regularly sent out on loan. As the prospect of facing his former club looms large for the 24-year-old, he revealed how he felt before the Brazilians' departure on Sunday afternoon. 'Some of the players I played with are on loan, and others have been transferred to other teams, but I think there are still one or two who remain with the team,' Matthews explained. 'The guys who still work there, I am still in contact with them. So, I am very excited. It's always exciting for me to play against a former team.' Matthews' ability to adapt quickly at Sundowns has been remarkable, given the star-studded nature of the team and the already existing partnerships between senior players. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐎𝐟𝐟! ✈️ Supporters gathered at Chloorkop to watch Masandawana train and share their messages of support, as the team make their way to the #FIFACWC.💛 Watch the full recap on YouTube 📲 #Sundowns… — Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) June 9, 2025 'When I arrived, I saw how much of a team we are at Sundowns,' he said of his impression of the club. 'The brotherhood we have in the changing room makes us stronger.' Matthews' first 18 months at Sundowns could have been even bigger and better, but the team fell at the final hurdle in the Champions League, losing to Pyramids. The two-legged affair, which ended in a 3-2 loss on aggregate, was understandably a bitter pill to swallow for the players, including Matthews. The attacker was substituted seven minutes before half-time in the first leg, which ended 1-1 at Loftus Versfeld, in Hatfield. After working his way back into the starting line-up for the second leg, he missed a close-range shot in the first half which could have swung the tie in Sundowns' favour.
Leaders
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Leaders
Preview: Al-Ahli Eye Clinching Maiden Asian Glory Against Japan's Kawasaki
Al-Ahli are on the brink of history, as the Jeddah giants are gearing up for the AFC Champions League Elite final showdown against Japan's Kawasaki Frontale, at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday, seeking to clinch their first-ever Asian trophy. The Saudi side, twice runners-up, return to the AFC Champions League final for the first time since their 2012 loss to Ulsan Hyundai. Under German coach Matthias Jaissle, Al-Ahli transformed from 2021 relegation battlers to continental contenders, with their unbeaten run this season highlighting their resurgence. Saudi Powerhouse Meets Japanese Resilience This final marks the sixth Saudi-Japanese clash in AFC Champions League history. Al-Ahli stormed into the final by defeating rivals Al Hilal 3-1 in the semifinals, thanks to goals from attacking trio Firmino, Toney, and Al-Buraikan, though Kessié missed a penalty. The Jeddah club boasts a five-game winning streak, netting 16 goals. They scored twice in 19 of their last 20 matches, with their 17-game unbeaten Champions League run makes them favorites. Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toney, and Roberto Firmino headline Al-Ahli's lethal attack. Midfielder Gabri Veiga also shines with seven goals and five assists. Mahrez pledged maximum effort, stating, 'We'll fight for every minute, every second, to lift the trophy.' The Algerian star embraced fan support, calling it motivation for victory. Kawasaki Frontale's Underdog Ambitions Despite sitting eighth in J-League 2025, Kawasaki Frontale dazzled in Asia. Coach Shigetoshi Hasebe's squad stunned Al-Nassr 3-2 in the semifinals, ousting Cristiano Ronaldo and co.'s side. The Japanese team overturned a first-leg deficit against Shanghai Shenhua with a 4-0 rout. They scored 22 goals in their last eight Champions League matches, winning twice with under 35% possession. Al-Ahli's firepower clashes with Kawasaki's tactical discipline. Will Saudi Arabia celebrate a long-awaited Asian crown, or will Japan script a historic upset? Tune in Saturday for a thrilling duel! Short link : Post Views: 51
Asharq Al-Awsat
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Mahrez Aims to Land First Asian Champions League for Al Ahli
Riyad Mahrez has vowed Al Ahli will "fight for every second" to deliver a first Asian Champions League trophy for the Saudi club, when they contest the final against Japan's Kawasaki Frontale on Saturday. Al Ahli are competing for a second time in the Champions League era having lost to South Korea's Ulsan Hyundai in 2012. However, they remain unbeaten in this season's competition. Speaking on Friday at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, Mahrez said Al Ahli are aware of the expectations surrounding the club, especially given that they will enjoy a raucous backing at their home stadium, AFP reported. "Of course, we feel everything around the final," the former Manchester City player said. "You can take the positive of this fervor, all these people behind us. "The positive is to motivate you to give everything for all these fans who deserve it and never won the Champions League. And we want to achieve something as a team as well with everyone who is working in the club who deserve this. "That's why we're going to fight for everything, every minute, every second of the game, to lift the trophy." Mahrez, a Champions League winner in Europe with City in 2023, leads the tournament in assists, with eight, while a goal in the final would draw him level at the top of the scoring charts on 10. The Algerian is hugely decorated having also won the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations with his country. "This is a trophy, but in another continent, in Asia," Mahrez said. "I've been lucky enough to play in teams that won a lot of trophies with big players, but when you play any trophy, any cup, it's always exciting. "I'm really looking forward to it. I really want to win a trophy with this team, with this club and, like I said, I will give everything tomorrow."
South China Morning Post
10-02-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Japan trio set to progress, Ulsan face exit as Asian Champions League resumes
Japanese trio Yokohama F Marinos, Vissel Kobe and Kawasaki Frontale can all confirm their progress to the last 16 of the Asian Champions League Elite this week as former champions Ulsan Hyundai face the prospect of an early exit. The East Asian league phase resumes after a two-month break with Ulsan, winners in 2012 and 2020, travelling to Thailand to take on Buriram United on Wednesday needing a victory to keep their slim hopes of advancing alive. Hong Myung-bo's side sit in 11th place in the 12-team standings with three points, five adrift of eighth-placed Buriram and the final qualifying berth for the knockout rounds with two matches remaining. The top eight finishers in both west and East Asia advance to the next phase, with the round of 16 to be played in March before a centralised finals round to be held in Saudi Arabia in April and May. Back-to-back J-League champions Vissel Kobe will entertain Chinese Super League title holders Shanghai Port on Tuesday knowing a draw would be enough to confirm their progress. Hong Myung-bo's Ulsan Hyundai are in 11th place in the 12-team standings with two matches left. Photo: Reuters Kobe go into the game against Kevin Muscat's team off the back of a 2-0 loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Saturday's Japan Super Cup while Kawasaki Frontale travel to South Korea to face Pohang Steelers under new coach Shigetoshi Hasebe.
Reuters
10-02-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Former winners Ulsan stare down Asian Champions League elimination
Feb 10 (Reuters) - Japanese trio Yokohama F Marinos, Vissel Kobe and Kawasaki Frontale can all confirm their progress to the last 16 of the Asian Champions League Elite this week as former champions Ulsan Hyundai face the prospect of an early exit. The east Asian league phase resumes after a two-month break with Ulsan, winners in 2012 and 2020, travelling to Thailand to take on Buriram United on Wednesday needing a victory to keep their slim hopes of advancing alive. Hong Myung-bo's side sit in 11th place in the 12-team standings with three points, five adrift of eighth-placed Buriram and the final qualifying berth for the knockout rounds with two matches remaining. The top eight finishers in both west and east Asia advance to the next phase, with the round of 16 to be played in March before a centralised finals round to be held in Saudi Arabia in April and May. Back-to-back J-League champions Vissel Kobe will entertain Chinese Super League title holders Shanghai Port on Tuesday knowing a draw would be enough to confirm their progress. Kobe go into the game against Kevin Muscat's team off the back of a 2-0 loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in Saturday's Japan Super Cup while Kawasaki Frontale travel to South Korea to face Pohang Steelers under new coach Shigetoshi Hasebe. Second-placed Gwangju FC of South Korea, making their debut in the competition, take on Chinese hosts Shandong Taishan also needing a point to qualify as Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim face already eliminated Central Coast Mariners in Gosford. Marinos lead the standings after six rounds with 13 points and go into their meeting with Shanghai Shenhua on Wednesday also under new management. New boss Steve Holland previously worked as Gareth Southgate's assistant with England and was appointed in December to replace interim coach John Hutchison, who had temporarily taken over from Harry Kewell. It was under Kewell that the J-League outfit reached the final of last season's competition, where they missed out on their first Asian title to Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates over two legs.
