Uzbeki giants Kuruvchi are banking on their considerable Brazilian influence to weave some samba magic in the AFC Champion’s League (ACL) semi-finals today.
The team go into their first leg tie against Adelaide United in Australia on a mission.
Not only have the ambitious club hired former World Player of the Year Rivaldo, but last week they unveiled his compatriot Zico as their new coach.
Zico, who coached Japan’s national team to the Asian Cup title in 2004, took over from Mirdjalol Kasimov who left to lead Uzbekistan in their drive for a place in the 2010 World Cup finals.
“Rivaldo was the main reason for my arrival in Uzbekistan. He told me a lot about this country and I have discussed all the issues with him,” said Zico, who is considered among the greatest players of his generation. “I am quite happy to work here.”
The 55-year-old’s first task is to guide Kuruvchi into the ACL final by beating an Adelaide side who are looking to refocus after squandering a 3-0 lead with 30 minutes to go in an A-League match on Friday.
The Uzbekis will be keen to exploit the Australians’ hectic schedule, with the team being forced to play five games in 14 days, including three A-League fixtures on top of their Champions League matches.
Adelaide last week asked Football Federation Australia to postpone some of their domestic games so they could focus on the ACL, but to no avail.
“We’re very disappointed that our request couldn’t be accommodated in what is an increasingly busy and very difficult schedule,” said Adelaide chief executive officer Sam Ciccarello, who admitted their form could suffer.
“We’re delighted to have progressed so far in this prestigious competition but certainly this is a bit of a setback in terms of our ability to get the best out of our playing squad,” he said.
Japan are guaranteed to have at least one team in the final before a ball is kicked with Gamba Osaka and defending champions Urawa Reds facing off in Osaka in the other semi-final.
Gamba coach Akira Nishino said he was eagerly looking forward to today’s encounter.
“I thought that when the draw was made, there was a good chance that we might be playing against Reds in the semi-finals,” he said.
“It will be an interesting encounter and I think that it will be a different kind of game from what we are used to in the J. League as it will be a different atmosphere and a different type of competition,” Nishino said.
“I am looking forward to it. I believe that a Japanese team should be able to win the tournament and I hope that Gamba Osaka will be the ones to reach the final,” he said.
Urawa will be aiming for at least a point to take home ahead of the return leg in Saitama on Oct. 22. Coach Gert Engles said he was pleased his side avoided another long trip overseas.
“I think it’s good that we are able to play a Japanese team, especially when you think about the distances involved in the travel,” he said. “We know Gamba very well.”
Taiwan kept their hopes of advancing to next year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Saturday, backed by solid pitching. Taiwan last night played against Nicaragua. As of press time, Nicaragua was leading 6-0. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan on Saturday kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen struck out one and allowed no hits, except for a hit-by-pitch over
Team Taiwan are set to face Spain in a win-or-go-home match tonight for the final berth at the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), despite losing to Nicaragua 6-0 in the WBC qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Sunday. The home team’s loss on Sunday means Nicaragua finish first in the qualifier round in Taipei with a perfect 3-0 record and advances to next year’s finals. After crushing South Africa 9-1 earlier on Sunday, Spain took second place in the four-team qualifier with a 2-1 record. With a 1-2 record, Taiwan finished third while South Africa placed at the bottom with
Taiwan kept its hopes of advancing to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome last night, backed by solid pitching. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The win was crucial for Taiwan, as a loss would have eliminated the team from contention for the next WBC. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen (沙子宸) struck out one and allowed no hits, except for
Team Taiwan avoided missing the World Baseball Classic (WBC) for the first time by defeating Spain 6-3 in a do-or-die game in Taipei last night. After narrowly escaping a mercy-rule loss to Spain in the WBC Qualifiers opener on Friday last week, the home team — winner of last year's WBSC Premier12 title three months ago — got their revenge against the 2023 European champions at Taipei Dome. "It felt quite different from when we won the Premier12," Taiwan captain Chen Chieh-hsien (陳傑憲) said after the game, recalling the ups and downs the team has experienced over the past few days. Unlike in
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