#ACLElite - R16 (1st Leg): Facts & Figures

Fri, 07 Mar, 2025

#ACLElite - R16 (1st Leg): Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The first leg of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 lived up to expectations with all eight ties fiercely contested affairs.

With the quarter-final cast to be decided in the coming days, the-AFC.com highlights some interesting facts and figures from the first leg.

Vissel’s Yoshida cautious despite lead

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

Vissel’s Yoshida cautious despite lead

Kobe: Head coach Takayuki Yoshida has no plans to take the second leg of Vissel Kobe’s AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie against Gwangju FC lightly despite securing a 2-0 lead on Wednesday.

Yoshida was pleased to see his side contain Gwangju’s threat, with a pair of headers from Yuya Osako and Haruya Ide giving the Japanese side a decent lead to take into next week’s second leg.

Tactical adjustments pay off for Shenhua’s Slutsky

Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

Tactical adjustments pay off for Shenhua’s Slutsky

Shanghai: Head coach Leonid Slutsky expressed his delight after reaping the results of his tactical adjustments in Shanghai Shenhua’s 1-0 win over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie on Wednesday.

The tactician - despite the slim advantage - was in high spirits and promised an even better performance from Shenhua in the return leg. 

Jaissle expects more of the same from Al Ahli

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Jaissle expects more of the same from Al Ahli

Al Rayyan: Matthias Jaissle expects Al Ahli Saudi FC to maintain the same tenacity in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie against Al Rayyan next week.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli maintained their sublime continental form to walk away with a 3-1 victory on Tuesday with a place in the quarter-finals all-but-assured. 

Moreira hails organised Pakhtakor, Jesus promises real Al Hilal in return leg

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Moreira hails organised Pakhtakor, Jesus promises real Al Hilal in return leg

Tashkent: Pedro Moreira applauded his players after Pakhtakor stuck to their game plan to stun Al Hilal SFC 1-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie on Tuesday.

Flamarion scored in the 29th minute to secure Pakhtakor a result that had not been thought possible with the Uzbekistan side clinching victory with a resolute defensive performance.

Muscat pleased with Shanghai Port’s performance despite defeat

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Muscat pleased with Shanghai Port’s performance despite defeat

Shanghai: Shanghai Port head coach Kevin Muscat believes his side’s tactical approach was effective despite falling to a 1-0 defeat against Yokohama F. Marinos in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg on Tuesday.

Anderson Lopes’ 30th-minute strike proved to be the difference at Pudong Stadium, but Muscat was encouraged by his team’s performance after switching to a back-three formation, a departure from their usual defensive setup.

Loss optimistic of Buriram’s progression; Bidoglio prepares for JDT's home challenge

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Loss optimistic of Buriram’s progression; Bidoglio prepares for JDT's home challenge

Buriram: Head coach Osmar Loss declared that Buriram United delivered a ‘perfect’ performance despite settling for a 0-0 draw against Johor Darul Ta’zim in their AFC Champions League Elite™ Round of 16 first leg tie on Tuesday.

Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances at Buriram Stadium, the Thai side was unable to break the deadlock, leaving the tie evenly poised heading into the return leg next week.

Al Wasl’s Milojevic, Al Sadd’s Sanchez confident of advancing

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Al Wasl’s Milojevic, Al Sadd’s Sanchez confident of advancing

Dubai: Al Wasl head coach Milos Milojevic believes his team were the superior side despite settling for a 1-1 draw against Al Sadd  in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie on Monday.

An early Ali Saleh strike was canceled out by a powerful Abdulla Al Yazidi header in the second half leaving both teams with everything to play for next week's second leg in Doha.

Missed chances frustrate Al Nassr’s Pioli; Bozovic praises Esteghlal’s defensive grit

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

Missed chances frustrate Al Nassr’s Pioli; Bozovic praises Esteghlal’s defensive grit

Tehran: Al Nassr Club head coach Stefano Pioli expressed dismay over his team's inability to convert their chances in the tense 0-0 draw with Esteghlal FC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg at the Azadi Stadium on Monday.

Despite missing Cristiano Ronaldo and Aymeric Laporte, Al Nassr dominated large spells of the match and created several clear-cut opportunities without converting, leaving the tie finely balanced with the return leg to be played next week.