#ACLElite - MD5: Facts & Figures

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

#ACLElite - MD5: Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Five of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 was yet another spectacular affair.

Record equaling runs, new landmarks and sharpshooters were all part of a memorable matchday on the continent.

The-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures with the teams to go at it again next week.

Asani draws inspiration from Ronaldo in Gwangju journey

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Asani draws inspiration from Ronaldo in Gwangju journey

Gwangju: Gwangju FC’s Jasir Asani is determined to emerge the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 top scorer, drawing motivation from Al Nassr Club star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Albanian striker came off the bench to make an immediate impact against Shanghai Shenhua FC on Wednesday, scoring with his first touch what proved to be the only goal of the game in the 57th minute as he took his tally to seven.

Hutchinson pleased as Marinos maintain momentum

Thu, 28 Nov, 2024

Hutchinson pleased as Marinos maintain momentum

Yokohama: Yokohama F. Marinos head coach John Hutchinson expressed satisfaction after his team claimed a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Pohang Steelers in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie at International Stadium on Wednesday.

The win propelled Marinos to third in the standings with 10 points, while Pohang are four adrift and remain 10th.

Tang’s risk taking pays off for Shandong Taishan

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Tang’s risk taking pays off for Shandong Taishan

Jinan: Tang Tian was delighted that Shandong Taishan FC pulled through their tough AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 match against Johor Darul Ta’zim with a 1-0 win on Tuesday.

Having played the Chinese FA Cup final on Saturday and Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale up next on the continental stage, the assistant head coach said player management was key given the tight schedule.

Shandong made nine changes to the side that lost to Shanghai Port FC in the cup final but still had enough to secure the win to take them to seven points.

Teamwork delivered win for Kawasaki, says Miura

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Teamwork delivered win for Kawasaki, says Miura

Buriram: Sota Miura hailed Kawasaki Frontale’s teamwork after scoring one of their three late goals in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 victory over Thailand’s Buriram United on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, Kawasaki’s perseverance paid off as goals from Miura, Daiya Tono and Soma Kanda secured the emphatic win to propel the Japanese side to nine points.

Shanghai Port fulfill Muscat’s expectations

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Shanghai Port fulfill Muscat’s expectations

Ulsan: Kevin Muscat did not hold back on his praise after Shanghai Port capped a wonderful November by defeating Ulsan HD 3-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

The win revived their knockout stage hopes and it came in a month where Shanghai Port sealed the Chinese Super League and FA Cup titles, the first time they have achieved the domestic double.

Yoshida: Self belief clinched Vissel Kobe victory

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Yoshida: Self belief clinched Vissel Kobe victory

Kobe: Takayuki Yoshida said self belief clinched Vissel Kobe their 3-2 win over Central Coast Mariners in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Ryuho Kikuchi put them ahead just before the break and Storm Roux’s own goal had the Japanese side seemingly cruising but Australia’s Mariners drew a lifeline when Hotaru Yamaguchi netted into his own net in the 54th minute.

Bailey Brandtman drew Mariners level in the 74th but Vissel kept pushing and were rewarded with the winner from Daiju Sasaki in the 81st, with the result keeping them top of the East Zone standings on 13 points.

Mixed emotions for Al Hilal’s Jesus, Al Sadd’s Sanchez

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Mixed emotions for Al Hilal’s Jesus, Al Sadd’s Sanchez

Doha: Al Hilal SFC head coach Jorge Jesus and his Al Sadd SC counterpart Felix Sanchez were left with mixed feelings after their sides battled to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

The draw was enough for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal to book their ticket to the knockout stage and left Qatar’s Al Sadd well placed to join them.

Milojevic confident Al Wasl will advance

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Milojevic confident Al Wasl will advance

Karbala: Al Wasl FC head coach Milos Milojevic is excited that his UAE side hold AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 progression in their own hands after Tuesday’s 3-1 win over Iraq’s Al Shorta.

The Serbian said Al Wasl were deserved winners as they took their tally to 10 points and was confident his team will join Saudi Arabian trio Al Ahli Saudi FC, Al Hilal SFC and Al Nassr Club who have already secured qualification to the next stage. 

Blunt attack a concern for Al Rayyan’s Ali, Persepolis’ Hosseini

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Blunt attack a concern for Al Rayyan’s Ali, Persepolis’ Hosseini

Al Rayyan: Inefficiency in front of goal is becoming a major concern for Al Rayyan SC and Persepolis FC as the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 heads into the business end.

Monday’s 1-1 draw saw both sides spurning numerous chances with Al Rayyan head coach Younes Ali admitting his side’s finishing was below par.

Pioli hails clinical Al Nassr

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Pioli hails clinical Al Nassr

Al Khor: Al Nassr Club head coach Stefano Pioli lauded his team’s clinical performance following their commanding 3-1 victory over Al Gharafa, as the Saudi Arabian side moved a  step closer to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

After a tepid first half, Pioli’s charges stamped their authority after the break, Cristiano Ronaldo netting a brace with Angelo also finding the target as the Saudi Arabian side moved to 13 points and all but confirming their ticket to the next round. 

Stalemate disappointment for Esteghlal’s Mosimane, Pakhtakor’s Shatskykh

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Stalemate disappointment for Esteghlal’s Mosimane, Pakhtakor’s Shatskykh

Dubai: Esteghlal FC’s Pitso Mosimane and Maksym Shatskykh of Pakhtakor were left counting the cost of a goalless draw following their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 match on Monday.

With only seven spots left after Al Ahli Saudi FC’s qualification, time is fast running out for both Mosimane and Shatskykh as they seek to navigate their respective sides into the knockout stage.

It is Al Ahli Saudi who Mosimane has to plot against on Matchday Six next week as the head coach from South Africa rued Monday’s dropped points.

Al Ahli Saudi’s Jaissle wants reinforcements despite perfect run

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Al Ahli Saudi’s Jaissle wants reinforcements despite perfect run

Al Ain: Matthias Jaissle is eyeing reinforcements after Al Ahli Saudi FC became the first team to book their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage spot on Monday.

Second half substitute Ivan Toney scored twice in four minutes as Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli defeated Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates 2-1 to not only stay perfect with five wins but also secure their Round of 16 spot with three matches to spare.