Thursday, May 10, 2012
Five Teams Make AFC Knock Out Stage
Given the make up of the eastern half the AFC Cup group stage there was always going to be some representatives from the region going through to the knock out stage and it was five that made it with some drama along the way.
Terengganu may have sacked their coach at the start of the week but it didn't stop them flying to Hong Kong and getting a 2-2 draw with Kitchee. Both had already qualified so it was academic but the players at least put the nonsense behind them to get on with their job.
SLeague champions Tampines Rovers ended up with the wooden spoon, going down 3-0 in Vietnam against SLNA.
In Group G Chonburi travelled to Singapore and defeated Home United 2-1, Pipob On Mo giving them an early lead. Both teams go through, Chonburi dominating the group remaining unbeaten.
Kelantan coach Bojan Hodak was less than happy with his team's performance but they won 1-0 against Ayeyawady United to finish top. Arema caused the upset of the round. Having done nothing all season domestically and in the AFC Cup they raced into a 5-0 lead before half time which improved their goal difference no end; they had to score four more than visitors Navibank Saigon to finish above the Vietnamese and they ended up winning 6-2!
The Round of 16, bloody daft name that, has a mouth watering clash with the two Malaysian teams, Kelantan and Terengganu, going head to head; a game that could have extra spice added if Peter Butler is appointed coach of the Turtles. He started the season with Kelantan before quitting to re-join Persiba.
22/5 Al Shorta v Home United, Chonburi v Al Zawra'a
23/5 Kitchee v Arema, Kelantan v Terengganu
Terengganu may have sacked their coach at the start of the week but it didn't stop them flying to Hong Kong and getting a 2-2 draw with Kitchee. Both had already qualified so it was academic but the players at least put the nonsense behind them to get on with their job.
SLeague champions Tampines Rovers ended up with the wooden spoon, going down 3-0 in Vietnam against SLNA.
In Group G Chonburi travelled to Singapore and defeated Home United 2-1, Pipob On Mo giving them an early lead. Both teams go through, Chonburi dominating the group remaining unbeaten.
Kelantan coach Bojan Hodak was less than happy with his team's performance but they won 1-0 against Ayeyawady United to finish top. Arema caused the upset of the round. Having done nothing all season domestically and in the AFC Cup they raced into a 5-0 lead before half time which improved their goal difference no end; they had to score four more than visitors Navibank Saigon to finish above the Vietnamese and they ended up winning 6-2!
The Round of 16, bloody daft name that, has a mouth watering clash with the two Malaysian teams, Kelantan and Terengganu, going head to head; a game that could have extra spice added if Peter Butler is appointed coach of the Turtles. He started the season with Kelantan before quitting to re-join Persiba.
22/5 Al Shorta v Home United, Chonburi v Al Zawra'a
23/5 Kitchee v Arema, Kelantan v Terengganu
# posted by Me @ 4:24 PM 
