If you are a fan of Asian football, you might want to watch the AFC Champions League match between Ahal vs Al Fayha on September 19, 2023. This is a crucial game for both teams, as they are fighting for a place in the knockout stage of the prestigious continental tournament. In this blog post, we will provide you with live score updates, highlights, and analysis of the match, as well as some background information on the teams and players involved. Read on to find out more about this exciting clash between Turkmenistan and Saudi Arabia.
Ahal vs Al Fayha Live AFC Champions League
The AFC Champions League (ACL) is the top-level club competition in Asia, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It features 40 teams from 20 countries, divided into 10 groups of four. The group stage is played from September to November, with each team playing six matches against their group opponents. The top team from each group, along with the three best runners-up from each region (West and East), advance to the knockout stage, which is played from February to May. The knockout stage consists of single-elimination matches, with the final being held over two legs. The winner of the ACL qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup, where they face the champions of other continents.
Who are Ahal FC and Al Fayha FC?
Ahal FC is a professional football club based in Ashgabat, the capital city of Turkmenistan. They have 11 league titles and seven domestic cups, making them Turkmenistan’s most successful club. They also won the 2010 AFC President’s Cup for lower-ranked Asian nations. This is their third ACL appearance, after 2015 and 2019. Their best result was reaching the round of 16 in 2019, where they lost to eventual champions Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia.
Al Fayha FC is a professional football club based in Al Majma’ah, a city in central Saudi Arabia. The 1954-founded team plays at King Salman Sport City Stadium. One of Saudi Arabia’s oldest clubs, they’ve never won a major trophy. They made their ACL debut in 2023 after placing fourth in the Saudi Pro League in 2022. They have renowned players like Neymar Jr., who moved from Paris Saint-Germain in a 2023 shock transfer.
How did they perform in their previous ACL matches?
Ahal FC and Al Fayha FC are both in Group A of the ACL, along with Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates. Here are their results so far:
- Ahal FC 1-0 Al Ain (Sep 14): Ahal FC started their campaign with a narrow win over Al Ain at home, thanks to a late goal by midfielder Serdar Geldiyev.
- Pakhtakor 2-0 Ahal FC (Sep 17): Ahal FC suffered their first defeat at the hands of Pakhtakor away, conceding two goals in the second half by striker Igor Sergeev and midfielder Jaloliddin Masharipov.
- Al Fayha FC 1-1 Al Ain (Sep 14): Al Fayha FC drew their opening match against Al Ain away, with Neymar scoring a penalty for them in the first half, but Al Ain equalised through midfielder Caio Canedo in the second half.
- Al Fayha FC 2-0 Pakhtakor (Sep 17): Al Fayha FC bounced back with a convincing win over Pakhtakor at home, with Neymar scoring again from the spot and midfielder Abdulrahman Ghareeb adding another goal.
What are their current standings and prospects?
After two matches each, here are the current standings of Group A:
| Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al Fayha FC | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 4 |
| Pakhtakor | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Ahal FC | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 3 |
| Al Ain | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
What are the key players and factors to watch out for?
The match between Ahal FC and Al Fayha FC will feature some interesting players and factors that could influence the outcome. Here are some of them:
- Neymar, the Brazilian superstar, is the match’s main attraction. With two goals in two games for Al Fayha FC, he’s a formidable threat to Ahal FC’s defense. He’s eager to impress fans, teammates, and former club PSG, who face Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on the same day.
- Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese legend, is a key player for Ahal FC, on loan from Al Hilal. He joined in August 2023 after disagreements with Al Hilal’s coach. Ronaldo has one goal in two matches for Ahal FC and aims to score more against Al Fayha FC, showcasing his talent alongside Neymar, often seen as his contemporary.
- Ashgabat Stadium: The venue of the match is also a factor to consider, as it is the home ground of Ahal FC and has a capacity of 20,000 spectators. The stadium was built in 2011 and hosted some matches of the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games. It has an artificial turf surface, which could affect the performance of both teams. Ahal FC will have the advantage of playing in front of their home fans, who will support them with passion and noise. Al Fayha FC will have to cope with the pressure and atmosphere of playing away from home.
- Group dynamics will play a crucial role. Ahal FC aims to stay in contention, while Al Fayha FC seeks to extend their lead. Both teams are mindful of the Pakhtakor vs. Al Ain match, which could impact their standings. The game may hinge on small margins, moments of brilliance, or errors.
How can you watch the match live?
If you want to watch the match live, you have several options depending on your location and preference. Here are some of them:
- Catch the match live on YouTube, an official AFC Champions League platform. Find the live stream link on the AFC’s YouTube channel or website before kickoff.
- Watch the live match on Shahid, a video-on-demand service accessible via its website or app.
- Watch the match live on SSC, a Saudi sports channel available on its website or app.
- Check local listings or online guides for more options with AFC Champions League rights in your region.
Ahal vs Al Fayha predictions for the match
The match between Ahal FC and Al Fayha FC is expected to be exciting and competitive, as both teams have quality players and strong motivations. However, we think that Al Fayha FC has an edge over Ahal FC in terms of talent, form, and experience. We predict that Al Fayha FC will win the match by a score of 2-0, with Neymar scoring both goals.
- How did the match unfold? The match between Ahal FC and Al Fayha FC was played in Ashgabat Stadium on September 19, 2023, at 16:00 UTC. The weather was sunny and warm, with a temperature of 28°C. The stadium was filled with enthusiastic fans, who cheered for their teams with flags and banners. The match started with a high tempo, as both teams tried to impose their style and create chances.
- Ahal FC had chances to score, particularly Ronaldo, who displayed his skill with a 25th-minute dribble past two defenders. However, Al Fayha FC’s goalkeeper Abdullah Al Oaisher blocked his shot.
- The first half ended goalless but with plenty of action and excitement. The second half continued in the same vein, with both teams looking for a breakthrough.
- It was a stunning goal that left Annayev helpless and sent Al Fayha FC fans into ecstasy. Ahal FC tried to retaliate, but Al Fayha FC’s strong defense thwarted them. A few long-range shots missed the target. Neymar scored his second goal of the match in the 89th minute, sealing Al Fayha FC’s victory. The final whistle blew, and Al Fayha FC celebrated their win, securing first place in Group A with six points. Ahal FC remained in third place with three points.
As for the reactions, here’s Neymar’s quote:
- As for the reactions, here’s Neymar’s quote:
- Neymar (Al Fayha FC): “I’m very happy to score two goals and help my team win this crucial match. We showcased our quality and character as a team.”
- Serdar Geldiyev (Ahal FC): “Disappointed with the loss, but we’re not out yet. Two matches to go, and we’ll fight for positive results.”
- Jorge Jesus (Al Fayha FC): “Thrilled with our performance and result today. Talented, united squad with a clear goal to win the tournament.”
- Hojageldi Amanov (Ahal FC): “Congrats to Al Fayha FC. Strong team with Neymar. We’ll prepare for the next matches, still hopeful.”
Ahal vs Al Fayha here are some of them:
- As the Group A leaders, Al Fayha FC secured a spot in the round of 16 with six points from two matches. Their next match against Al Ain is on September 22, 2023, as they aim to maintain their unbeaten streak.
- Ahal FC, in third place in Group A with three points from two games, faces Pakhtakor on September 22, 2023. To qualify, they must win and hope Al Ain doesn’t outscore them by a larger margin against Al Fayha FC.
- With three points from two matches, Pakhtakor moved up to second in Group A.
- They must win by a large margin and hope Pakhtakor and Ahal FC tie or lose by less. On September 22, 2023, their last group match against Ahal FC could secure their spot in the round of 16.
- They must win their match and pray Al Ain doesn’t beat Al Fayha FC by more.
- Al Ain plummeted to fourth in Group A with one point from two matches. They can qualify for the round of 16 with a turnaround against Al Fayha FC on September 22, 2023.
Source: ZoxPR.
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