#ACLElite - MD6: Facts & Figures

Fri, 06 Dec, 2024

#ACLElite - MD6: Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 has begun to take shape in the West Zone with five of the eight Round of 16 spots already booked.

There is, however, still everything to play for in the East Zone following the conclusion of Matchday Six, with some teams on the verge on confirming their spots.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some interesting facts and figures from the matches that thrilled the continent this past week.

Kim revels in Ulsan HD’s perseverance

Thu, 05 Dec, 2024

Kim revels in Ulsan HD’s perseverance

Shanghai: A jubilant Kim Pan-gon highlighted his side’s resolve as Ulsan HD FC ended a run of five AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 defeats by beating China PR's Shanghai Shenhua FC 2-1 on Wednesday.

The Ulsan head coach knew, given their fragility after a poor run on the continental stage, the enormity of the task his side faced after Shenhua took the lead through Andre Luis in the 23rd minute.

Marcinho: Teamwork secured Frontale victory

Thu, 05 Dec, 2024

Marcinho: Teamwork secured Frontale victory

Kawasaki: A jubilant Marcinho hailed Kawasaki Frontale’s team effort after their emphatic 4-0 triumph over China PR’s Shandong Taishan in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Wednesday.

Marcinho set the tone with his strike in the third minute as the J1 League side led from start to finish, with further goals from Yuki Yamamoto, Jesiel and Shin Yamada moving Frontale within touching distance of the knockout stage.

Jesus content as Al Hilal continue to cruise

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Jesus content as Al Hilal continue to cruise

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC's stellar campaign in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 continued unabated after a 3-0 success against Al Gharafa on Tuesday, a performance which delighted head coach Jorge Jesus.

Marcos Leonardo put the Saudi Arabian side ahead in the 18th minute but Jesus’ charges had to be patient as Al Gharafa goalkeeper Sergio Rico denied them several times before a blitz towards the end confirmed the win.

Al Ain's Jardim rues missed opportunity; Pakhtakor leave Shatskykh upbeat

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Al Ain's Jardim rues missed opportunity; Pakhtakor leave Shatskykh upbeat

Tashkent: Head coach Leonardo Jardim was left counting the cost of the 1-1 draw between his Al Ain FC and Pakhtakor in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 which took qualification out of their hands.

Despite the second half improvements, Jardim felt his side didn’t compete sufficiently and with only two points collected thus far, the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 winners are in danger of missing out on the knockout stage.

Mixed emotions for JDT’s Bidoglio, Buriram’s Loss after stalemate

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Mixed emotions for JDT’s Bidoglio, Buriram’s Loss after stalemate

Johor Bahru: Johor Darul Ta’zim head coach Hector Bidoglio emphasised the need for more hard work and improvement to bolster the Malaysian side’s bid to qualify for the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage following their 0-0 draw against Thailand’s Buriram United on Tuesday.

The stalemate took both teams to eight points, maintaining their hopes of progression to the next round.

Park applauds Pohang’s strong mindset

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Park applauds Pohang’s strong mindset

Pohang: Pohang Steelers head coach Park Tae-ha hailed his team’s work ethic after their 3-1 win over Japan’s Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

The K League 1 side achieved victory with two goals in a blistering seven-minute spell in the first half which kept them firmly in contention for a spot in the knockout stage.

Marinos’ Hutchinson celebrates return; Mariners disappoint Jackson

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Marinos’ Hutchinson celebrates return; Mariners disappoint Jackson

Gosford: Interim head coach John Hutchinson celebrated an emotional homecoming after guiding Yokohama F. Marinos to a commanding 4-0 win over Australia’s Central Coast Mariners in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Kenta Inoue scored an early brace and Anderson Lopes made it three before a dazzling free-kick from Jun Amano put an exclamation point on Yokohama’s dominant performance.

Sanchez revels in Al Sadd’s tactical masterclass

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Sanchez revels in Al Sadd’s tactical masterclass

Riyadh: Al Sadd head coach Felix Sanchez lauded his team’s grit after a last-gasp penalty sealed a thrilling 2-1 win over Al Nassr Club on Monday, securing the Qatari side’s spot in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

Al Nassr cancelled out Akram Afif’s opener through Romain Saiss’ own goal before the AFC Asian Player of the Year drew a foul in stoppage time with Adam Ounas converting from the spot.

Jaissle pleased as Al Ahli pass stiff Esteghlal test

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Jaissle pleased as Al Ahli pass stiff Esteghlal test

Jeddah: Their winning run may have been halted but head coach Matthias Jaissle was delighted that Al Ahli Saudi FC fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie against Esteghlal on Monday.

Having already confirmed their knockout stage spot on Matchday Five, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli had to claw back twice against their opponents from the Islamic Republic of Iran with Jaissle taking home the positives.

Milojevic, Ali accept Al Wasl-Al Rayyan stalemate

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Milojevic, Ali accept Al Wasl-Al Rayyan stalemate

Dubai: Al Wasl FC’s Milos Milojevic and Younes Ali of Al Rayyan SC were satisfied after their teams played to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 clash on Monday.

Milojevic admitted the stalemate was a fair result despite Al Wasl being five minutes away from achieving a win that would have sealed their knockout stage spot.

Garrido hails Persepolis’ indomitable spirit

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Garrido hails Persepolis’ indomitable spirit

Doha: Juan Carlos Garrido was extremely proud after Persepolis FC revived their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage hopes with a 2-1 win against Iraq’s Al Shorta on Monday.

The Islamic Republic of Iran side showed grit and determination to defeat Al Shorta, drawing level in the 89th minute and then proceeding to score the winner through Giorgi Gvelesiani deep in stoppage time to move up to six points with two matches remaining.

#ACLTwo contenders set for Knockout Stage draw

Fri, 06 Dec, 2024

#ACLTwo contenders set for Knockout Stage draw

Kuala Lumpur: The stage is set for the 16 remaining sides in the AFC Champions League Two™ (ACL Two) 2024/25 to discover their Knockout Stage fate at the draw ceremony on Thursday, December 12 at 3pm at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

Eight teams each from the West and East regions successfully progressed from the Group Stage, which concluded on Thursday, to seal their Round of 16 berths in the 20th edition of the Continent’s second-tier men’s tournament and keep their hopes of glory alive.