Champions Al Hilal Aim for Fourth Asian Football Title

Al Hilal players celebrate winning the Asian Champions League last month. (SPA)
Al Hilal players celebrate winning the Asian Champions League last month. (SPA)
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Champions Al Hilal Aim for Fourth Asian Football Title

Al Hilal players celebrate winning the Asian Champions League last month. (SPA)
Al Hilal players celebrate winning the Asian Champions League last month. (SPA)

Defending champions Al Hilal were Tuesday drawn against UAE's Al Ahli and Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor for the start of their campaign for a record fourth Asian club title in the AFC Champions League.

The Saudi giants beat Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds last month, ending a 19-year wait for their third continental trophy and joining South Korea's Pohang Steelers as the only three-time Asian champions.

They also became the competition's first West Asian winners since Qatar's Al Sadd in 2011, torpedoing a run of victories by clubs from Japan, South Korea, China and Australia.

Two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande of China, who won the Chinese Super League title this month, will face South Korean side Suwon Samsung Bluewings after being drawn in the same group at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, South Korea's Jeonbuk Motors, who have also clinched the title twice, will face Yokohama Marinos of Japan and Australia's Sydney FC.

Ulsan Hyundai, champions in 2012, were drawn with Shanghai Shenhua from China and Australian side Perth Glory.

"It is quite an evenly balanced" draw, AFC general secretary Windsor John told AFP. "We look forward to another thrilling campaign."

The 2020 season begins with the preliminary stage in January, with the two-leg final scheduled for November.

The AFC Champions League will feature 32 teams in 2020 for the final time, with the tournament set to expand to 40 sides from 2021.

Group A: Al Wahda (UAE), Al Shorta (IRQ), play-off winner, play-off winner

Group B: Al Hilal (KSA), Al Ahli (UAE), Pakhtakor (UZB), play-off winner

Group C: Al Duhail (QAT), Al Taawoun (KSA), Sharjah (UAE), Persepolis (IRN)

Group D: Sepahan (IRN), Al Sadd (QAT), Al Nassr (KSA), play-off winner

Group E: Beijing (CHN), Chiangrai United (THA), play-off winner, play-off winner

Group F: Ulsan Hyundai (KOR), Shanghai Shenhua (CHN), Perth Glory (AUS), play-off winner

Group G: Japan 2nd Club, Suwon Samsung Bluewings (KOR), Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN), Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)

Group H: Sydney FC (AUS), Yokohama Marinos (JPN), Jeonbuk Motors (KOR), play-off winner



Dakar Rally 2025: Stage 3 Begins in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
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Dakar Rally 2025: Stage 3 Begins in Bisha, Saudi Arabia

US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)
US driver Mitch Guthrie Jr steers his car assisted by co-driver Kellon Walch during stage 2B of the 47th Dakar Rally between Bisha and Bisha, in Saudi Arabia, on January 6, 2025. (AFP)

The third stage of the Dakar Rally 2025, which is being held in Saudi Arabia for the sixth consecutive year, started Tuesday and will continue until January 17. Competitors began the stage in Bisha Governorate and will finish in Al Hanakiyah, covering a total distance of 894 km, including a timed special stage of 327 km, the Saudi Press Agency said on Wednesday.
The fourth stage of the event will start today from Al Hanakiyah and conclude in AlUla Governorate, covering a total distance of 588 km, including a timed special stage of 415 km.
Drivers will face significant challenges in this stage as they will not be able to rely on mechanical support teams.