OFFICIAL PROGRAMME Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa AFC President AFC MESSAGE Dear friends,

As President of the Asian Football Confederation I would like to congratulate both Al Ahli of the and Guangzhou Evergrande of China on the wonderful achievement in reaching the final of the AFC Champions League. This promises to be an exciting final which will provide a fitting climax to a record breaking season in this, the AFC’s pinnacle club competition.

Never before have so many supporters attended AFC Champions League games and never before has the average attendance for the matches been so high. More than 2.25 million people have watched the 141 matches so far and the average attendance is almost 16,000. Those are extremely impressive and encouraging statistics.

The supporters who have packed the stadia across this great continent - and those who have watched on television- have also been rewarded with some outstanding football - with many goals of remarkable quality. I am sure that the two legs of this final will live up to the great play and sportsmanship that has gone before in the matches played so far.

Thanks must also go not only to our officials who have worked with such dedication throughout the AFC Champions League, but also to the other 47 competing clubs and the other 19 Member Associations for the role they play in making the event such a success. We must also recognise the two host Member Associations for the logistical support they provide for the final matches.

I should also like to add my gratitude to our commercial partners, broadcasters and media who play such an important role in supporting the AFC Champions League each year, helping to grow its appeal not only in Asia but across the world.

As the AFC looks to become a leading confederation in the world, we will also look to improve the quality of our players and our teams, and there is no doubt that the AFC Champions League aids us in that ambition. So finally, I would like to wish both sides the very best of luck in these two matches and may the best team win.

Shaikh Salman Bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa AFC President FIFA ExCo Member

3 THE STORY SO FAR…

scorelines as Saudi Arabia’s Al when Liaoning won the 1989/90 continental champion since the HISTORY THE 13TH EDITION OF THE AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL WILL Ittihad went on to claim their Asian Club Championship to when Asian Club Championship began PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR AN ENTHRALLING CLIMAX BETWEEN TWO first continental title, before the this year’s finalists Guangzhou in 1967. CLUBS WITH A POINT TO PROVE. same side successfully defended Evergrande lifted the 2013 AFC Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv was the trophy the the first with titles following year and in 1969 and 1971 decade since Ahli’s remarkable run to the the 1994/1995 Asian Cup denied Al Ain their and since then inaugural AFC final included the scalps of Winners’ Cup. second taste of glory Iran’s Esteghlal, Champions their celebrated countrymen in But since Al Ain’s 2-1 in the final. Thailand’s Thai League winners a closely-fought Round of 16 aggregate victory over And while Al Farmers Bank, Al Ain took on second leg tie in Al Ain, before Thailand’s BEC Tero Sasana Wahda reached the Al Hilal, Korea SaudiA Arabia’s Al Ittihad they edged out debutants Naft in October 2003 that semi-final in 2007, Republic’s Suwon in the 2005 final, the Tehran, and then last year’s crowned the first winner of the UAE had to wait Samsung and United Arab Emirates once finalists Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia the AFC Champions League, until last year’s Seongnam FC and more have a team in the in dramatic fashion. the rise of sides from Saudi tournament to reach Qatar’s Al Sadd, continental climax with Continental club success for Arabia, Korea Republic and the final four once along with Al Dubai’s Al Ahli looking to teams from the Emirates had Japan began to dominate again, although Al Ittihad, have been replicate the achievements of often rested previously on the proceedings. Ain fell to Al Hilal. crowned Asia’s best their domestic rivals in the shoulders of the men from While Emirati clubs Al A drought of 12 on two occasions. 2002/2003 tournament. the Garden City with Al Ain Wahda and Sharjah went years since Al Ain’s continental Champions League title. Korea’s Pohang Steelers, Having never even reached also reaching the semi-finals as far as the quarter-finals triumph, though, was topped The southern Chinese though, still lead the way with the knockout stage in their in 2014, although Sharjah’s Al of the 2004 edition, they and, in fact, nearly doubled heavyweights, though, can now the 2009 AFC Champions League four previous attempts, Al Shaab did reach the final of were eliminated by heavy by China’s wait for glory from look to become the ninth two-time title added to back-to-back Asian

4 5 Club Championships in 1996/97 and 1997/98. But should Guangzhou prevail this year to claim their second title in three years, they will strengthen their claim as one of the powerhouses of the modern era and the frontrunner in the ’s surge to prominence. Al Ahli, though, bear the banner for the Emirates and West Asia on merit after building on the UAE’s third- placed finish at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. HISTORY

Roll of Honour

Year Winners Score Runners-up Year Winners Score Runners-up 2014 Western Sydney Wanderers 1-0 agg Al Hilal 1996-97 Pohang Steelers 2-1 Ilhwa Chunma 2013 Guangzhou Evergrande 3-3 agg FC Seoul 1995 Ilhwa Chunma 1-0 Al Nassr 2012 Ulsan Hyundai 3-0 Al Ahli 1994-95 Thai Farmers Bank 1-0 Al Arabi 2011 Al Sadd 2-2* Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 1993-94 Thai Farmers Bank 2-1 Oman Club 2010 Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 3-1 Zobahan 1992-93 Pas 1-0 Al Shabab 2009 Pohang Steelers 2-1 Al Ittihad 1991 Al Hilal 1-1* Esteghlal 2008 Gamba Osaka 5-0 agg Adelaide United 1990-91 Esteghlal 2-1 Liaoning 2007 3-1 agg Sepahan 1989-90 Liaoning 3-2 agg Nissan 2006 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 3-2 agg Al Karamah 1988-89 Al Saad 3-3 agg Al Rasheed 2005 Al Ittihad 5-3 agg Al Ain 1987 Yomiuri w-o Al Hilal 2004 Al Ittihad 6-3 agg Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma 1986 Furukawa g-s Al Hilal 2002/03 Al Ain 2-1 agg BEC Tero Sasana 1985-86 Daewoo Royals 3-1 Al Ahli 2001-02 Suwon Bluewings 0-0* Anyang Cheetahs 1972-84 No competition 2000-01 Suwon Bluewings 1-0 Jubilo Iwata 1971 Maccabi Tel Aviv w-o Al Shorta 1999-00 Al Hilal 3-2 Jubilo Iwata 1970 Taj 2-1 Hapoel Tel Aviv 1998-99 Jubilo Iwata 2-1 Esteghlal 1969 Maccabi Tel Aviv 1-0 Yangzee 1997-98 Pohang Steelers 0-0* Dalian Wanda 1967 Hapoel Tel Aviv 2-1 Selangor

* won on penalties g-s – group stage agg – aggregate (away goals win if level) w-o - walkover

7 GOING THE DISTANCE

AL SADD’S MARATHON RUN TO THE 2011 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL FROM THE PLAY-OFFS ENCOMPASSED NEARLY AN ENTIRE CALENDAR YEAR THAT FEATURED A ROLLERCOASTER CAMPAIGN OF UPS, DOWNS AND IMPROBABLE TWISTS. QATAR CAPTAIN HASAN AL HAYDOS WAS STILL A TEENAGER WHEN HE TOOK PART IN THE WILD RIDE, BUT IT WILL LIVE LONG IN HIS MEMORY. IN FOCUS: THE 2011 FINAL

8 9 be assured a spot in the knockout was the most crucial goal I was In the semi-finals, Al Sadd were stage with a game to spare. going to score, that it would mean drawn against Suwon Samsung The visitors, though, were we qualified for the knockout of Korea Republic, and in the determined to keep the group in stage. I just wanted to show I was first leg in Suwon, the hosts’ the balance and were two goals good enough to start the game.” striker Stevica Ristic, along with up at half-time. Al Haydos duly started the the visitors’ Abdul Kader Keita Former AFC Player of the following tie in Tashkent where the and Niang, who had scored Al Year Khalfan Ibrahim pulled a 1-1 draw, coupled with Esteghlal’s Sadd’s second on 81 minutes after goal back 10 minutes into the last-gasp 2-1 win over Al Nassr, Ibrahim’s 70th minute opener, To be honest, when the play-offs. the tournament format two second half, but with 18 minutes was enough for Al Sadd to go were sent-off as the visitors we started the “We started in early February years earlier, with victories remaining and the deficit through to the Round of 16 as claimed a 2-1 win. competition in the and ended in November, we over 2010 AFC Cup winners enduring, Fossati turned to the group winners. “After what happened in the play-offs, I never were playing domestic games, Al Ittihad of Syria and India’s bench and signaled to Al Haydos. A narrow 1-0 win in the one- first leg, the atmosphere was even imagined that national team games and AFC Dempo to secure a place in “I was on the bench and I was legged last 16 tie against Saudi electric in the second leg in Doha we“ would be able to go all Champions League games at the group stage. angry about being a substitute. I side Al Shabab saw Al Sadd meet and the Koreans were trying to the way and win the AFC the same time. Many times Jorge Fossati’s side were really wanted to make something Iran’s Sepahan in the quarter-final play very offensively,” says Al Champions League,” says we were exhausted,” adds Al drawn in Group B alongside happen, to score for the team as where they were awarded a 3-0 Haydos, who made his third start Al Sadd forward Hasan Al Haydos, now 24-years-old and Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr, we were still down,” recalls Al win in the first leg after the home of the campaign as Al Sadd lost Haydos about his team’s Qatar captain, but back then, Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor and Haydos, who got his opportunity side fielded an ineligible player. 1-0 at home. IN FOCUS: THE 2011 FINAL legendary run to the title still a teenager breaking into Esteghlal of Iran, with the just four minutes after coming Any premature ideas of an easy “They managed to score one in the 2011 AFC Champions the first team. Qataris securing a 1-1 draw in on. ride were almost extinguished in goal early which put us under a League. Having finished as runners- their opener in Tehran. “Leandro played the ball over the second leg, though, as Sepahan lot of pressure and we basically Not only becoming the first up in the 2009/10 Qatar Stars Narrow home wins over to me on the right side. I saw struck twice in the opening half had to park the bus in front of Qatari side to win Asia’s top League season behind winners Pakhtakor and Al Nassr a chance, cut inside into the hour. goal.” title in the AFC Champions Al Gharafa, Al Sadd then followed before a 1-1 draw in penalty box, got the ball onto But with four minutes remaining, The 2-1 aggregate score line League era, the men from successfully negotiated the AFC Riyadh that meant if Al Sadd my left and curled it past the Senegal striker Mamadou Niang was enough to put Al Sadd into Doha became the first and to Champions League play-offs, could secure at least a point at goalkeeper. fired home to settle any nerves and the final which, unlike the 2009 date only side to do so from which had been introduced to home to Esteghlal, they would “I didn’t know at the time it seal a 4-2 win on aggregate. and 2010 editions when the

10 11 IN FOCUS: THE 2011 FINAL

tournament climax was hosted In extra-time, Jeonbuk a heart attack, but if I had a at a neutral venue, was played striker Lee Dong-gook missed chance to take it again I would at the home of opponents a golden opportunity and then do it exactly the same way.” Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. the Koreans hit the post after Three consecutive misses In front of a club record Eninho’s corner had hit an Al then gave Al Sadd a slim 41,000 at Jeonju World Cup Sadd defender and bounced advantage with Ibrahim Majid Stadium, Jeonbuk took the off the base of the upright, and Kim Sang-sik’s successful lead through Eninho’s free- before goalkeeper Mohamed conversions handing Fossati’s kick on 19 minutes before Sim Saqr denied Jeong Shung- side a 3-2 advantage. Woo-yeon headed past his hoon with a magnificent save, And that gave Algerian Nadir own goalkeeper to make the as the Qatari side held on for Belhadj the chance to score the scores level at the half hour penalties. winning spot-kick, which he mark. And after Niang and Eninho did. Keita then added Al Sadd’s had successfully converted the “When the winning penalty second on the hour mark opening spot-kicks, it was Al went in, I broke down and as Fossati’s side took the Haydos’ turn. started crying. My mind went initiative, but deep into to Doha, to my family and my stoppage time, Jeonbuk hit friends. They were happy tears, back as substitute Lee Sung- for sure,” Al Haydos recalls. hyun turned in a corner at the “In the celebration photos backpost to dramatically take you can see that I’m far to the the final into extra-time. left on the stage, I wanted to “When they scored the see what everyone else was equaliser, I started to feel doing, how they were reacting. that maybe it wouldn’t be I was trying to work out if I our day and after such a late was dreaming or this was real. goal maybe it meant Jeonbuk “Before I walked up to the I couldn’t believe what we had would win,” recalls Al Haydos, spot Fossati told me please accomplished. who was introduced as a 74th don’t shoot the ball high, keep “We had to make sacrifices minute substitute. it low,” says Al Haydos, who in the league to do what we “Fossati gathered us blasted his penalty off the had achieved; we couldn’t play together and told us that underside of the crossbar and with our full force, because everyone in Qatar was into the net. we were totally focused on the watching us, and we needed “I still don’t know why I AFC Champions League. But NIKE.COM to give everything and make shot high. Fossati told me it ended up being the right them proud.” afterwards I’d nearly given him choice.”

12 13 THE LAST HURDLE

to reach the final. it was their captain Guangzhou, meanwhile, have who delivered the decisive blows gone on an unbeaten run in the with the powerful striker scoring AFC Champions League since twice in the final 13 minutes THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES’ AL AHLI AND CHINA’S their first leg Round of 16 defeat after the Iranians had twice taken GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE WILL COLLIDE IN THE AFC to Seongnam FC at the end of the lead and Al Ahli eventually May to earn a return to the final recorded a 3-2 win. CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL FOLLOWING A SEVEN MONTH for the second time in three And then a two-legged last 16 CONTINENTAL CAMPAIGN. years. tie against domestic rivals Al Ain Twelve months after their in May proved another close- latest continental campaign fought battle for Olaroiu’s side ended in the group stage, and a goalless first leg in Dubai mirati history-makers Al Ahli entered Group D of left the outcome in the balance. Al Ahli have enjoyed the 2015 AFC Champions But after Al Ain took the lead a fairytale run to this League as UAE champions, after just five minutes of the year’s AFC Champions opening their campaign with second leg, three quickfire goals League final, while a hard-fought 3-3 draw with in five second half minutes from China’sE Guangzhou Evergrande Al Ahli from Saudi Arabia. Salmin Khamis and a brace from know all about what it takes By the midway point, though, Khalil swung the tie in Al Ahli’s to win the continent’s greatest Olaroiu’s side were still yet to favour. prize having lifted the trophy pick up three points after a And even though the hosts hit in 2013 and will look stamp narrow 1-0 defeat away to Iran’s back twice to secure a 3-3 draw, ROUTE TO THE FINAL their mark as one of Asia’s Tractorsazi Tabriz and a goalless Al Ahli advanced on the away heavyweights. stalemate with Uzbekistan’s goals rule. In four previous attempts, Nasaf. The draw for the quarter-finals Al Ahli have fallen at the first But in their second overseas brought Al Ahli into contact with hurdle on the continent with trip in the competition, a late another team in the knockout group stage eliminations in goal from Brazilian playmaker stage for the first time as they 2005, 2009, 2010 and 2014, Everton Ribeiro gave Al Ahli a faced debutants Naft Tehran of but this year, under Romanian priceless first win over Nasaf in Iran. coach Cosmin Olaroiu, they have Uzbekistan, although this was Al Ahli were now bolstered, been a different proposition followed by a defeat to Al Ahli in though, by the signing of striker and are the first Emirati side Jeddah. Rodrigo Lima from Benfica, and since inaugural AFC Champions With Al Ahli needing a win the Brazilian forward immediately League winners Al Ain in 2005 against Tractorsazi to progress, repaid the investment with the

14 15 first leg’s only goal in Tehran with 11 minutes remaining. Lima was on target again in the return fixture as his opener, coupled with a second half penalty from Khalil, secured a 2-1 win and set-up a semi- final meeting with 2014 runners-up Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia. And in the first leg in Riyadh, a goal from Lima temporarily silenced the 53,000 fans in attendance at the King Fahd International Stadium before Ailton netted a late equaliser. It was to be a rollercoaster return leg at Rashid Stadium

three weeks later, but Kwon know how to play in this kind And the Italian coach saw new K-League Classic side, Seongnam Kyung-won’s stoppage-time of competition. Even though we Brazilian signing Ricardo Goulart FC, in the last 16, midfielder winner sealed a thrilling 3-2 don’t have big experience, we open his continental account in Huang Bowen scored a stunning win as Al Ahli became only compensate with good attitude a 1-0 home victory over 2013 long-range strike to claim a vital the second Emirati club to and effort.” finalists FC Seoul on Matchday away goal in the 2-1 defeat in reach the AFC Champions Final opponents Guangzhou, One. the first leg in Korea. League final after completing meanwhile, began their campaign The prolific South American And a Goulart brace in the a 4-3 aggregate success over after winning their fourth straight forward continued his rich vein return meeting at Tianhe Sports ROUTE TO THE FINAL the two-time continental Chinese Super League title in of form throughout the first half Centre Stadium secured the 2013 champions. 2014 to continue their unbroken of the group stage with a hat- winners a 3-2 aggregate win. “I’m happy for my players; run of AFC Champions League trick in a 3-2 away victory over Cannavaro, though, would they are heroes for what they appearances since their debut in Western Sydney before a brace in not be around for the resulting have done. Nobody gave them 2012. Guangzhou’s goal-laden 4-3 win quarter-final match with Japan’s a chance and they are in the With Fabio Cannavaro having against Kashima. Kashiwa Reysol as the Italian was final and I told them they don’t replaced Marcello Lippi as coach, Surprisingly, Guangzhou replaced by Brazilian coach Luiz have to stop here,” said Al Ahli Guangzhou were drawn in Group then went three straight games Felipe Scolari in June. coach Olaroiu following the H against Korea Republic’s FC without a win, although a point The change did not prove a second leg success. Seoul, defending champions in the penultimate fixture away at disruptive one, though, as an “We are going to try our Western Sydney Wanderers of FC Seoul was enough to top the own-goal from Daisuke Suzuki, a best to make the dream real. Australia and Japan’s Kashima group. spectacular long-range free-kick We have been scoring and we Antlers. Drawn against another from Paulinho, and a header from

16 17 ROUTE TO THE FINAL

Gao Lin saw Guangzhou earn Scolari’s side had the final “I would like to say a special a 3-1 first leg win in Japan. within their sights. thank you to all the players, And after the pair shared And while a goalless draw especially the Chinese players. a 1-1 draw in the return was not the most comfortable We have to be proud we have fixture in Guangzhou, the result for those on the such good players in our 4-2 aggregate win meant Guangzhou bench at Expo team.” Scolari’s side bettered their ’70 Commemorative Stadium, The first time in the 2015 2014 performance by reaching it was sufficient to take the edition that sides from the the semi-finals for the second Chinese champions through West will meet their counter time. to the continental showpiece parts from the East will take Another J.League side, against Al Ahli. place at Rashid Stadium on Gamba Osaka, who won “This match was really hard Saturday 7 November, with Al the 2008 AFC Champions because both teams are high Ahli looking to extend their League, stood in the way of quality and very good. We had six-game undefeated streak on Guangzhou’s second final in many opportunities, at least home soil, while Guangzhou three years. four good chances to score, will look to continue their own But after captain Zheng but we could not score. But in lengthy unbeaten run on the Zhi and Huang cancelled out the end we drew so we could continent ahead of the decisive the first half own-goal from reach our goal to get to the return fixture at Tianhe Sport Feng Xiaoting in the first leg final,” said Scolari after the Centre Stadium in China two to take a 2-1 lead to Japan, stalemate in Osaka. weeks later.

19 Al Ahli Al 21 8 8 4 12 4 0 0 -4 7 11 A GD PTS F 7 11 L 0 2 8 8 2 5 5 4 3 2 2 1 D 3 2 2 1 W 6 6 6 6 P

Al Ahli (KSA) Al Ahli Al Nasaf Tractorsazi Tabriz Tabriz Tractorsazi 3-3 Al Ahli (KSA) Al Ahli 3-3 Al Ahli (KSA) 27/05/15 27/05/15 Farshad Ahmadzadeh 40 Ahmadzadeh 40 Farshad 18/03/15 Al Ahli 0-0 Nasaf 07/04/15 0-1 Al Ahli Nasaf 81 Ribeiro Everton 21/04/15 Al Ahli (KSA) 2-1 Al Ahli 16 Ribeiro 90+4; Everton 78, Bruno Cesar Muhannad Asiri 05/05/15 Tabriz Al Ahli 3-2 Tractorsazi Saman Narimanjahan 67 21, Bayrami 58, Ahmed Khalil 77, 88; Mehrdad Ribeiro Everton Round of 16 20/05/15 Al Ahli 0-0 Al Ain Al Ain 3-3 Al Ahli Ahmed Khalil 53, 56 51, 90+2; Salmin Khamis Eisa 5, 78, Rashed Gyan Asamoah on aggregate) a 3-3 draw following goals (Al Ahli win on away Quarter-Finals 26/08/15 0-1 Al Ahli Naft Tehran Rodrigo Lima 79 16/09/15 Al Ahli 2-1 Naft Tehran Amiri 50 Rodrigo Lima 26, Ahmed Khalil 48; Vahid (Al Ahli win 3-1 on aggregate) Semi-Finals 29/09/15 Al Hilal 1-1 Al Ahli Ailton 82; Rodrigo Lima 57 16/09/15 Al Ahli 3-2 Al Hilal 64 Carlos Eduardo 90+5; Ailton 51, Kyung-won 45, Kwon Ribeiro Rodrigo Lima 17, Everton (Al Ahli win 4-3 on aggregate) 25/02/15 25/02/15 57 Al Jassam Taiseer Al Moqawhi 41, 1, Hussain Al Hammadi 19, 79, Ahmed Khalil 43; Osvaldo Ismail 04/03/15 1-0 Al Ahli Tabriz Tractorsazi

Results GROUP D D GROUP Despite a disappointing a disappointing Despite A major obstacle lay in their leg in the first A 0-0 draw 2015 campaign. 2015 season in the domestic to league, Al Ahli advanced the Round of 16 alongside Al Ahli of Saudi namesakes – ahead and just Arabia to a better head-to- thanks Uzbekistan’s – of head record Nasaf. phase of the path in the first from last 16 as Al Ain – fresh league title winning the UAE the semi-finals and reaching AFC Champions of last year’s to be their League - were opponents. set up a fascinating return, which ended in a 3-3 draw in Al Ain that meant Al Ahli Olaroiu has, since taking taking since has, Olaroiu time first the was Last year the Middle East having won the Middle East having won the league title in Saudi with Al Hilal and the Arabia cup in Qatar with Al Sadd, Al Ain from made the move the club steered having just to the town the oasis from domestic league title. side his steadily built over, unit, into an impressive league title winning the UAE claiming while also in 2014 Cup and the UAE the Emirates Super Cup. he had taken the club into League the AFC Champions out but, while Al Ahli missed on a place in the knockout stage, that experience held the club in good stead in the The road to the final, to the final, The road a The Romanian, already work done by the club in the club in the the done by work the before months and weeks arrival, Brazilian’s prolific a shown Al Ahli have because in the continental resilience club championship that had 2015 throughout been absent. previously has been a long one however, of Lima and, while the arrival could be seen as the final piece in completing the team triumphant that has emerged of the the west from the signing continent, it was a Olaroiu of coach Cosmin ago years than two little more that kick-started the club’s ascent. seasoned campaigner across

AL AHLI FROM THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ARE MAKING ARE ARAB EMIRATES AL AHLI FROM THE UNITED IN THE AFC CHAMPIONS THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE LEAGUE FINAL THIS YEAR.

aving failed to aving failed to beyond progress stage the group in their last four AFC Champions

That’s not to discredit the the not to discredit That’s Al Ahli’s progress to the to the progress Al Ahli’s

H final of the continental final of the continental in some is, championship teams: tale of two the ways, Rodrigo the one before at the club and arrival Lima’s the one that has emerged summer signing his since Benfica. from League campaigns, Al Ahli Al Ahli League campaigns, the most of making are their maiden knockout stage after securing appearance Emirates United Arab the final in representation years. time in 10 for the first 20 Al Ahli Al advanced on the away goals rule. Al Ahli already had the core Line-up 12 of an impressive unit at this stage, with the likes of Ismail Ahmed Al Hammadi, Ahmed Khalil and Mahmoud the influential Everton Ribeiro carrying the form that had 2 21 helped the club win the 2014 26 5 league title into the continental Salmin Kwon competition. Abdulaziz Khamis Kyung-won Walid Haikal Abbas The trio had been 4 88 instrumental in the team’s progress to the quarter-finals Habib Al Majed of the AFC Champions League Fardan Hassan for the first time, but the 8 7 arrival of Lima has taken the team up another notch in the Everton Ismail Al intervening months. Ribeiro Hammadi The 32-year-old scored the only goal in the first leg 11 9 win over Naft Tehran in the quarter-finals and also netted Ahmed Rodrigo Khalil Lima in the 2-1 victory in front of Al Ahli the club’s own fans at Rashid Stadium. He was also on target in both legs of the dramatic semi-final win over Al Hilal while also making a prolific start to life in the UAE league. Lima’s arrival has everyone connected with Al Ahli believing 2015 could be the year they prove that club football in the UAE has much to offer at continental level at a time when the national team continues to soar.

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Rodrigo Lima Kwon Kyung-won Signed just before the AFC The semi-final match- Champions League summer winner against Al registration deadline, Hilal, Korean Kwon Brazilian striker Rodrigo Kyung-won has been Lima has been a revelation an ever-present in Al since his arrival from Ahli’s historic 2015 AFC Portugese club Benfica. Ahmed Mubarak Salmin Khamis Saif Yousif Humaid Salmein Champions League run Swiftly building a prolific Born 01/01/1986 GK 1 Born 09/10/1991 DF 2 Born 10/01/1989 GK 33 Born 09/06/1996 MF 37 since joining from understanding with Jeonbuk Hyundai countryman Everton Motors in Ribeiro and strike- February. The partner Ahmed Khalil, 23-year-old Lima has been in lethal was a member of the form on the continent Jeonbuk side that lifted with four goals in four the 2014 K-League FW AFC Champions League FW Classic title and the 9 games including in both 21 versatile Kwon can excel legs of the semi-final in either a defensive Born 11/05/1983 against Al Hilal. Born 31/01/1992 midfield or centre-back Habib Al Fardan Majed Naser Mohamed Sebil role. Born 11/11/1990 DF 4 Born 11/06/1985 DF 5 Born 01/04/1984 GK 55 Born 13/04/1993 MF 57

Hassan Abdulrahman Everton Ribeiro Ahmed Mahmoud Ossama Assaidi Abdelaziz Sanqour Waleed Husain Nawaf Mubarak Yousuf Al Sayed Mohamed Al Khoori Born 11/02/1989 MF 6 Born 01/07/1988 MF 7 Born 10/04/1989 MF 8 Born 30/03/1989 GK 12 Born 15/05/1988 MF 14 Born 07/05/1989 MF 62 Born 15/05/1992 MF 70 Born 31/08/1981 DF 71 Born 11/08/1989 DF 77 Born 01/01/1993 FW 79

Ahmed Khalil Former AFC Young Player of the Year Ahmed Khalil is the highest-scoring Asian player in the 2015 AFC Champions League with six goals and one of the Gulf Ali Karam Saeed Ahmad region’s leading strikers. Humaid Abdulla Majed Hassan Saeed Jassim Ahmed Moosa Born 02/05/1996 MF 19 Born 17/01/1994 FW 20 Khalil, 24, first came Born 16/04/1988 MF 80 Born 01/08/1992 MF 88 Born 02/03/1995 FW 92 Born 23/06/1995 MF 97 to prominence in the United Arab Emirates’ 2008 AFC U-19 Championship-winning Coach Cosmin Olaroiu side and he has since helped his nation to Former central defender Cosmin Olaroiu has taken Steaua Bucharest into the group the 2013 Gulf Cup built an impressive reputation in the Gulf stage of the UEFA Champions League FW title and third place region since first joining Al Hilal in Saudi before moving to the Middle East and 11 at the 2015 AFC Asian Arabia as coach, with the Romanian also he also coached Saudi Arabia in the Cup. working at Al Sadd in Qatar and the United group stage at the 2015 AFC Asian Born 08/06/1991 Arab Emirates’ Al Ain before taking over Cup. Adel Al Hammadi Abdulaziz Haikal at Al Ahli in 2013. Olaroiu had previously Born 07/12/1991 DF 23 Born 10/09/1990 DF 26 IN FOCUS: AHMED KHALIL or Al Ahli striker and captain team having made his debut as a 16-year- Ahmed Khalil, winning the AFC old. Al Ahli Champions League would be the “My big brother Faisal is someone I look completion of a life’s work for the up to. I learnt a lot from him. I was very sad one-club United Arab Emirates when Faisal stopped playing football,” adds Finternational. Khalil. Born in June 1991 in the Emirate of Khalil had made his debut for Al Ahli during Sharjah as the youngest of six brothers, Khalil the 2006/07 season and netted his first joined Al Ahli’s youth set-up aged just seven league goal in May 2007 aged just 16 against having seen his father and all but one of his Al Wahda.

Al Ahli siblings turn to football at some point in “Before I played for the first team I wanted their lives. to play for the first time as I saw my big Khaili’s father played brother Faisal playing and for Dubai-based club Al he was one of the best Hamriya while brothers players when I was 16. I Faoud and Faisal plied their loved my first day with trade with Al Ahli with the the first team so much and latter enjoying significantly in my first match I scored the most success – until against Al Wahda and it was now. one of the best goals in that “I started playing with season,” says Khalil. Al Ahli when I was seven Khalil helped Al Ahli win years old, but I loved football before I joined the UAE President’s Cup in April 2008 before Al Ahli, especially when I saw my father and the striker was named the MVP as the UAE brothers playing. Since then I have loved won the AFC U-19 Championship thanks to football very much, and this has given me two goals from the striker in the final against more motivation to play more,” says 24-year- Uzbekistan. old Khalil. The 2008 AFC Young Player of the Year Elder brother Faisal won the Gulf Cup with trophy was the next to find its way into the UAE in 2007 as well as the domestic Khalil’s hands before in May 2009, Khalil league title with Al Ahli on two occasions along with brother Faisal, helped Al Ahli land in 2006 and most recently in 2009 with his the domestic crown. younger brother alongside him with Khalil “I will never forget 2008. In 2008 I won completing just his third season with the first the President’s Cup and then the league with

26 T he Wo r ld ʼs

Strongest Al Ahli Bank.

We believed it, we made it happen.

the club, and in the same year I was named the before Khalil helped the UAE win the 2013 best player in Asia. I can’t describe how I feel Gulf Cup. about this year, but I know I want to win this The UAE did fail to defend their title prior to prize again,” says Khalil. the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015 after Khalil “It was a great moment for me in my career had earlier helped Al Ahli win the 2013/2014 and now I must work hard and I hope to Arabian Gulf League crown, which secured continue to be successful and achieve this their place in the 2015 AFC Champions again.” League. Start believing. Khalil also helped the UAE reach the quarter- But Khalil then netted four goals as the UAE If you're looking for a successful and trustworthy nancial relationship, finals of the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup as finished third at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup in you'll nd it with the strongest bank in the world. After all, your trust in well as a silver medal at the 2010 Asian Games. Australia, and thankfully for Al Ahli, the striker us is the secret to our success. Africa . Asia . Europe . Middle East qnb.com.qa Appearances at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup was able to continue that form into the AFC and 2012 Olympic Games in London followed Champions League with six goals.

29

Press 21x29.7cm.indd 2 11/7/13 12:43 PM Guangzhou Evergrande

P W D L F A GD PTS GUANGZHOU EVERGRANDE RETURN TO THE AFC Guangzhou Evergrande 6 3 1 2 9 9 0 10 CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL FOR THE SECOND TIME AFTER FC Seoul 6 2 3 1 5 4 1 9 Western Sydney Wanderers 6 2 2 2 9 7 2 8 WINNING THE 2013 TITLE. 6 2 0 4 10 13 -3 6 GROUP H

25/02/15 Guangzhou Evergrande 1-0 FC Seoul Ricardo Goulart 31 wo years on from Scolari is arguably a more sources. Guangzhou’s crop of 2015 04/03/15 Western Sydney Wanderers 2-3 Guangzhou Evergrande their historic 2013 balanced and mature version. While Guangzhou netted 14 overseas players have not made Iacopo La Rocca 57, Romeo Castelen 90+5; Ricardo Goulart 19, 58, 64 18/03/15 AFC Champions More mature as the likes goals in their 2013 quarter- their contribution. Guangzhou Evergrande 4-3 Kashima Antlers Ricardo Goulart 10, 62, Elkeson 57, 90+2; Hiroyuki Takasaki 36, Shoma Doi 51, League success, of 2013 winners Zheng Zhi, final and semi-final successes, Brazilian Ricardo Goulart Gaku Shibasaki 90+3 07/04/15 which ended Huang Bowen, Feng Xiaoting, wins at the same stage this is the tournament’s leading Kashima Antlers 2-1 Guangzhou Evergrande China’s 23-year wait for , goalkeeper year over the Kashiwa and scorer with eight goals, while 19, Hiroyuki Takasaki 90+3; Elkeson 75 T 21/04/15 another continental champion, and Kim Young- fellow J.League side Gamba compatriot Paulinho has FC Seoul 0-0 Guangzhou Evergrande 05/05/15 Guangzhou Evergrande are gwon, who all remain key Osaka were secured by two and established an impressive Guangzhou Evergrande 0-2 Western Sydney Wanderers Mark Bridge 33, Tomi Juric 90+3 back in the showpiece final. figures, are two years older but one goals margins. midfield partnership with Round of 16 20/05/15

Guangzhou Evergrande But after the success also in the way Guanzghou’s Chinese duo Zheng and captain Zheng and the ever- Seongnam FC 2-1 Guangzhou Evergrande of two years ago was largely settled side go about Huang scored the goals which improving Huang following his Jorginho 23, Kim Do-heon 90+5; Huang Bowen 42 27/05/15 largely inspired by the their business. ultimately won the semi-final mid-season arrival. Guangzhou Evergrande 2-0 Seongnam FC Ricardo Goulart 27, 57 South American attacking Gone are the eye-catching against 2008 winners Gamba, Elkeson also remains key (Guangzhou Evergrande win 3-2 on aggregate) prowess, and brilliance of and high scoring wins over with the latter adding to to the forward line, while Quarter-Finals 25/08/15 Brazilian tournament MVP the likes of Japan’s Kashiwa equally eye-catching strikes at the back, Korea Republic Kashiwa Reysol 1-3 Guangzhou Evergrande Results Masato Kudo 89; Daisuke Suzuki 5 OG, Paulinho 40, 58 and top scorer Muriqui and Reysol and Qatar’s Lekhwiya in against Korea Republic’s international Kim and 15/09/15 Guangzhou Evergrande 1-1 Kashiwa Reysol Argentinean playmaker Dario the knockout stage two years Seongnam FC in the Round of Feng continue to develop Huang Bowen 30; Cristiano 12 Conca, the 2015 Guangzhou ago which were secured thanks 16 and Kashiwa in the quarter- their understanding as a (Guangzhou Evergrande win 4-2 on aggregate) Semi-Finals side which developed first to the goals from Muriqui finals – all of which would win solid central defensive pair 30/09/15 Guangzhou Evergrande 2-1 Gamba Osaka under Italian coach Fabio and Conca, along with 2015 most goal of the tournament supported by right-back Zhang Huang Bowen 36, Zheng Zhi 57; Feng Xiaoting 13 OG and goalkeeper Zeng. 21/10/15 Cannavaro and now fellow FIFA mainstay Elkeson, the goals votes. Gamba Osaka 0-0 Guangzhou Evergrande World Cup winner Luiz Felipe now come from variety of That is not to say Fellow 2013 winner Gao (Guangzhou Evergrande win 2-1 on aggregate)

30 31 Lin has found himself used as a substitute in the later stages of the campaign, but provides Line-up 19 Scolari with a reliable and experienced option from a bench Zeng Cheng which includes the likes of Yu Hanchao and Zhao Xuri, who was also in the side two years ago. 3 6 The likes of Zhang, Huang 5 35 and Feng have hugely benefited Mei Feng from working under first 2013 Zhang Fang Xiaoting Li 8 winning coach Marcello Lippi, Linpeng Xuepeng fellow Italian Cannavaro and Guangzhou Evergrande Paulinho now Brazilian Scolari providing Guangzhou with a solid spine, with Zheng continuing to lead 16 10 27 by example as he did two years ago when the AFC Player of the Huang Zheng Zheng Year award arrived soon after the Bowen Zhi Long away goals success over FC Seoul. 11 That is not to say Guangzhou have not had it all their own way 9 Ricardo this year after losing to both Goulart Japan’s Kashima Antlers and Elkeson 2014 winners Western Sydney Wanderers from Australia in the group stage as well as Seongnam in the first leg of the last 16 tie. But the way in which the side have been able to recover from these losses shows the strength that has taken Guangzhou to the verge of becoming two-time continental champions just five years after winning promotion from the second division in China.

33 Guangzhou Evergrande

Zheng Zhi Huang Bowen Captain Zheng Zhi Midfielder Huang Bowen continues to be the has been in scintillating heart of the Guangzhou form for Guangzhou Evergrande team, the Evergrande in the spine of which remains knockout stage of the from the 2013 AFC AFC Champions League. Champions League- Liao Lisheng Mei Fang Zhao Xuri Li Shuai Huang’s strikes in the winning side. The Born 29/04/1993 MF 2 Born 14/11/1989 DF 3 Born 03/12/1985 MF 21 Born 18/08/1982 GK 22 Round of 16, quarter- 35-year-old was an final and semi-final ever-present in the are arguably southern Chinese club’s all contenders run to their second for goal of the AFC Champions League tournament. A final in three years and member of 2013 scored an ultimately AFC Champions MF decisive goal in the semi- MF League-winning team, 10 final first leg against 16 the 28-year-old has Gamba Osaka. proven to be a crucial Born 20/08/1980 Born 13/07/1987 component in this year’s Zhang Jiaqi Zhang Linpeng Yang Xin Liang Xueming campaign. Born 09/12/1991 MF 4 Born 09/05/1989 DF 5 Born 25/01/1994 MF 23 Born 02/08/1995 FW 24

Feng Xiaoting Paulinho Elkeson Wang Shangyuan Fang Jingqi Zou Zheng Wang Jingbin Zheng Long Kim Young-gwon Gao Lin Born 22/10/1985 DF 6 Born 25/07/1988 MF 8 Born 13/07/1989 FW 9 Born 02/06/1993 MF 12 Born 17/01/1993 GK 13 Born 07/02/1988 MF 25 Born 09/05/1995 FW 26 Born 15/04/1988 MF 27 Born 27/02/1990 DF 28 Born 14/02/1986 FW 29

Ricardo Goulart Brazilian Ricardo Goulart joined Guangzhou Evergrande at the start of the 2015 season from Campeonato Brasileiro side Cruzeiro after the forward was a member Liu Jian Dong Xuesheng of the 2014 championship Rong Hao Wang Junhui Wang Rui Liu Weiguo Born 20/01/1985 MF 17 Born 22/05/1989 FW 18 winning side. Born 07/04/1987 DF 33 Born 18/05/1995 FW 34 Born 18/09/1988 DF 35 Born 24/04/1993 MF 49 Born 03/05/1992 GK 53 And in a deal that was among the highest ever paid by a Chinese club, the 24-year-old has proved Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari to be an inspired signing and currently leads Hugely experienced Brazilian coach after experiencing the 2009 and 2010 the AFC Champions Luiz Felipe Scolari joined Guangzhou tournaments with Uzbek club Bunyodkor, FW League scorers’ Evegrande in June after stepping down whom he led to the quarter-finals and 11 standings with eight from the Gremio helm to take the role Round of 16 respectively, and has so far goals. vacated by Italian Fabio Cannavaro. been unbeaten on the continent with the Born 05/06/1991 The FIFA World Cup winner is in his southern Chinese side. Zeng Cheng Yu Hanchao third AFC Champions League campaign Born 08/01/1987 GK 19 Born 25/02/1987 MF 20 Guangzhou Evergrande “Winning the 2013 AFC Champions League League AFC Champions “Winning the 2013 the won moment when we a historic “It was for Zheng and Not only an achievement effect because positive “I think it had a very the sky on that balmy and historic November November historic on that balmy and the sky Tianhe Sport Centre at Guangzhou’s evening Stadium. as all Chinese to us like a dream title was it had been that aware well were football fans the any of our clubs had won since 23 years Zheng. continental title,” says the attention of everyone. draw title and we but in many places Asia, throughout Not just and in South America, in Europe worldwide, a is in China, there that in Asia, people know team called Guangzhou Evergrande.” of Guangzhou the crowning team-mates, his the was in 2013 as continental champions beginning of an upturn in fortunes for the nation. entire football league is our Chinese professional and winning in a stable direction moving

aptain for both club and country, aptain for both club and country, Zheng Guangzhou Evergrande’s Zhi will look to continue China’s as a continental footballing rise to side leading his by powerhouse

And it was former Charlton Athletic and And it was A meteoric rise from the second tier to from A meteoric rise In 2013, the southern Chinese side ended southern Chinese side the In 2013, C Celtic midfielder Zheng, wearing the captain’s the captain’s Celtic midfielder Zheng, wearing high into the trophy armband, who raised three successive Super League championships Super League championships successive three World Cup winning-coach FIFA came before to the their Lippi guided the side Marcello triumph: lifting the AFC Champions greatest victory over goals League title with an away FC Seoul. the 23-year continental title drought that had drought continental title the 23-year the Chinese Super League dogged clubs from Nissan Liaoning defeated Japan’s since ever Club Championship. FC to win the 1990 Asian a second AFC Champions League title in three League title in three a second AFC Champions years. ZHI ZHENG

IN FOCUS: FOCUS: IN 36 Guangzhou Evergrande Guangzhou Guangzhou Evergrande 39 Zheng has been a key feature of feature Zheng has been a key to chance for us a great really is “This scheme, we five-year new “In our club’s “We hope to be the champion of the certainly helped this.” year, continental success this Guangzhou’s in midfield also rock too, and the ever-present but vital goal in the semi-final netted a rare Gamba Osaka. leg against first a second time. It be the champion of Asia and achievement significant be a very would can win the in China hopes we everybody says League title once more,” AFC Champions Zheng. League winning the AFC Champions targeted has Everybody title again as one of our goals. don’t want and we for us, expectations great to let them down. season, and to League this AFC Champions confidence in Chinese football, and increase to Chinese fans.” happiness to bring more “And I hope all Chinese football clubs, I hope all Chinese football clubs, “And hopes that the national team “Everybody Cup, AFC Asian in the 2015 example, “For the AFC Champions League was an affirmation League was the AFC Champions effort in these last few of the whole country’s adds Zheng. years,” keep can including our Guangzhou Evergrande, the success by buoyed going on the right track, playing can achieve Chinese teams showed we League. in the AFC Champions to be on can be like Guangzhou Evergrande World or qualify to the FIFA the top of Asia, of and a player of Evergrande, a player Cup. As winning the AFC our national team, I believe from title can help all teams League Champions China, and can enhance the confidence of every China, including our national team from player to play better in international games. and made it to qualified top of our group we Guangzhou’s – and I’m sure the quarter-finals league winning spirit AFC Champions 2013 EASTERN PROMISE

PAN-ASIAN PIONEER ABBAS OBEID’S TRAILBLAZING TRANSFER FROM IRAQ TO KOREA REPUBLIC SAW HIM GO FROM SURVIVAL TO STARDOM WITH A FAMOUS SPOT-KICK THAT CEMENTED HIS NAME IN THE CONTINENT’S FOOTBALLING HISTORY.

hile there Abbas Obeid. for goal. hard time. My father was too old of onlooking Anyang Cheetahs’ problem. I spent one and a half have been Born to a poor family in the However, while his name to continue working, and I got assistant coach Pak Hung-suk, who years learning some words to many East Iraqi capital of Baghdad in was becoming well-known in paid maybe US$3 each month as would eventually sign both Obeid use in matches, but there was no Asian players 1973, Obeid began the first the capital, things were not the main breadwinner.” and countryman Sadiq Sadoun official Korean teacher to help. who have steps in his footballing career well at home. Obeid’s life changed, though, and bring them to the Korean top “The football was very fast and travelled West to find success on the streets of the city as a “The situation in Iraq was in July 1995 when he stormed flight. I was surprised at first, but I had IN FOCUS: THE 1998 FINAL IN FOCUS: THE 1998 W on the other side of the seven-year-old before joining terrible during the 90’s. Food on to the international scene And while Sadoun left Anyang, to adapt to learn how to be like continent, including the likes his first official club, Al Sinaa, was scarce and very bad. Even in the Merdeka Independence a satellite city of Seoul, after one a Korean player. The players and of AFC Champions League in 1986. football boots were rare; you Anniversary Tournament in Kuala season, Obeid flourished on the coach helped me to understand winners Kwak Tae-hwi, Lee Obeid then took in spells at could not afford such things. Lumpur. field despite the initial cultural the style, and the Korean people Jung-soo and Matthew three of Baghdad’s biggest If you gave a pair of football Scoring on his Iraq debut differences off it. were nice to me. Spiranovic, few have made clubs with Al Talaba, Al Zawraa boots to a player back then, it in a 2-2 draw against Korea “I tried to eat Korean food, but “I got a lot more money, so I the journey from West to East and Al Qowa Al Jawia all was like giving him a house,” Republic, Obeid was also on it is too difficult for me,” recalls could send more home – my life as successfully as 1998 Asian employing the services of the says Obeid. target against the hosts in a 2-1 Obeid. changed 100% and I got a very Club Championship winner tricky midfielder with an eye “My family especially had a win that grabbed the attention “The language was also a big good life when I moved to Korea.

40 41 IN FOCUS: THE 1998 FINAL

And now I speak Korean very well, better than English.” After two years at Anyang, Obeid signed for reigning Asian Club Championship winners Pohang Steelers in July 1997 in time to join their campaign to retain their continental title. Comfortable double digit victories over Bangaldesh’s Mohammedan SC and Maldivian side Victory SC saw Pohang progress to dominated by Dalian, but in “When you score a penalty February’s East Asia group a classic game of two halves, everyone says ‘Ah it’s too stage in Zhejiang, China, and Pohang came out stronger easy, anyway’, but when you they topped a group that after the break, with Park lose it the whole world is included hosts Dalian Wanda, volleying just over. saying ‘How can you miss? It’s Japan’s Kashima Antlers But as the game neared full so easy.’ and Myanmar’s Finance and time, penalties looked more “Anyway, the score went to Revenue, to advance to the and more likely, with both 5-5 and I turned round and semi-finals in Hong Kong in sides looking tired in front of the coach looked at me and April. goal. said, ‘Hey, you are next’. I felt Pohang winger Park Tae- “What I remember from like the coach had killed me. he’s goal was then enough to the final against Dalian is we “The Dalian player went up secure a 1-0 win over Saudi played 120 minutes and then first, and he put the ball wide. Arabia’s Al Hilal which set-up it came to penalty kicks – I I hated the pressure. But you a re-match with Dalian in the hate penalty kicks, I didn’t have to be professional, the final at Hong Kong Stadium. want it to go to penalty club signed you to help them Wang Tao and Hao Haidong kicks,” says Obeid, who started – so if you miss a penalty in a both came close in a first half against Dalian. shootout it’s a big problem.”

43 IN FOCUS: THE 1998 FINAL

Obeid did initially miss after we were talking about this perfect record in qualifying to hitting the post, but after the penalty kick; that Abbas scored reach the 2000 AFC Asian Cup referee ordered the kick to be this penalty and helped the in Lebanon, where he helped re-taken, he made no mistake Korean people. them to a quarter-final finish. a second time, sending Dalian “This was a very good chance His Korean adventure ended goalkeeper Han Wenhai to let the people outside of in 2001 with a return to the wrong way to win the Iraq really know me, as it was West Asia and a five-year shootout for Pohang. the first chance to play in the spell at Bahrain SC before his “After scoring I took my Asian Club Championship. retirement in 2007. shirt off and started running “There are many people in Obeid is now passing on and the players ran after me, the continent who know Abbas his pan-Asian knowledge and it was a very good feeling,” he from this final.” experience to his nation’s next recalls. In the wake of his success generation and was assistant “Iraqi TV came to do a one overseas, Obeid became Iraq coach for Iraq at last year’s hour programme on me and captain and led them to a AFC U-19 Championship.

45 Rashid Stadium, Dubai

he 9,390 capacity rugby matches, Rashid Stadium Rashid Stadium, which has also played host to the was built in 1948, is a United Arab Emirates national multi-purpose stadium team and friendly matches in the north of Dubai. involving European sides Paris TUsed to host both football and Saint-Germain and AC Milan.

Tianhe Sport Centre Stadium, Guangzhou

ianhe Sport Centre stadium hosted the second leg of Stadium was built the 2013 AFC Champions League to host the 1987 Final, the final of the inaugural

STADIUMS National Games. FIFA Women’s World Cup in Occupying a land area 1991 and was the venue for the Tof 54.54 square kilometres, the 2010 Asian Games.

46