Bidoglio confident JDT will progress

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Bidoglio confident JDT will progress

Gosford: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) head coach Hector Bidoglio is confident the 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday will be the platform for qualification to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

The Malaysian champions took a significant step towards a place in the Round of 16 as the win - their first on the road this season - took them to 11 points, leaving destiny in their own hands ahead of a crunch final League Stage fixture against FC Pohang Steelers next week.

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MD7: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 1-2 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 1-2 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Gosford: Debutant Alvaro Gonzalez scored twice in the second half as Johor Darul Ta’zim secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Tuesday to move the Malaysian side closer to a berth in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

The Spaniard netted in the 64th and 79th minutes to earn JDT their first away win in the competition after Mariners goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen had been sent off in first half injury time and Alou Kuol cancelled out Gonzalez’s opener.

The victory moved JDT onto 11 points from seven matches and the Malaysia Super League champions have to defeat FC Pohang Steelers next week to be absolutely sure of advancing to the next round.

MD7: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 0-4 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 0-4 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Pohang: Kawasaki Frontale booked their berth in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 with a 4-0 win against 10-man FC Pohang Steelers on Tuesday.

The win took Frontale up to 15 points, sealing their progress to the Round of 16 as they are assured of a top eight finish while Pohang’s fate will be decided in their final match next week.

MD7: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 4-0 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 4-0 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Kobe: Hosts Vissel Kobe handed Shanghai Port a crushing 4-0 defeat on Tuesday as the J1 League champions confirmed their progress to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

Yoshinori Muto, Yuya Kuwasaki, Koya Yuruki and Yuya Osako were all on target for Takayuki Yoshida’s side while Shanghai Port goalkeeper Yan Junling saved a penalty from Osako in a one-sided display at Kobe Wing Stadium.

The win moves the Japanese outfit onto 16 points from their seven games so far and guarantees the 2020 semi-finalists a place in the last 16 with one round of matches remaining.

Shanghai Port, meanwhile, will have to wait until their final group phase match against Yokohama F. Marinos next Wednesday to add to their eight points as Kevin Muscat’s side attempt to progress as well.

MD7: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 3-1 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 3-1 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Jinan: Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan produced a stunning performance to cruise 3-1 past Gwangju FC of Korea Republic on Tuesday to revive their hopes of reaching the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

The win moved Shandong up to 10 points and they must win their Matchday Eight fixture against Korea Republic’s Ulsan HD next week to stand a chance of advancing.

Defeat left Gwangju rooted on 13 points but they sealed their spot in the Round of 16 as they are assured of a top eight finish. Also through from the East Zone following Tuesday's results were Japanese trio Vissel Kobe, Yokohama F. Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale.

Preview - MD7: Buriram United (THA) v Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Buriram United (THA) v Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

Buriram: Buriram United will be out to strengthen their claim on a knockout stage spot and, in the process, end Ulsan HD FC's hopes when they two sides meet in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Wednesday.

Thailand's Buriram ended Matchday Six in eighth spot while Korea Republic champions Ulsan HD were 11th.

Preview - MD7: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)

Yokohama: After a disastrous start was followed by a five-match unbeaten run, Yokohama F. Marinos will expect to book their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage ticket with victory over Shanghai Shenhua FC when they square off on Wednesday.

Prior to the winter break, Marinos led the standings on goal difference ahead of Korea Republic's Gwangju FC and fellow Japanese side Vissel Kobe, with all three on 13 points.

R16, 1st Leg: Al Khaldiya SC (BHR) 1-2 Tractor FC (IRN)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

R16, 1st Leg: Al Khaldiya SC (BHR) 1-2 Tractor FC (IRN)

Riffa: Tractor FC will take a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 meeting with Bahrain’s Al Khaldiya SC next week after the side from the Islamic Republic of Iran fought back to claim a narrow victory in Riffa on Tuesday.

Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh and Domagoj Drozdek struck for the side from Tabriz in the 50th and 55th minutes respectively after Mohamed Al Romaihi had given the hosts a 48th minute lead in a tense clash. The pair meet again in Tabriz’s Sahand Stadium next Tuesday.

Preview - Group A: China PR v Qatar

Mon, 17 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group A: China PR v Qatar

Shenzhen: China PR will be looking to maximise home ground advantage when they kick off their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group A campaign against Qatar on Wednesday.

Head coach Dejan Djurdjevic has set lofty ambitions for his side as they seek to gain a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025, having last qualified for the global showpiece in 2014.

Preview - Group A: Australia v Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group A: Australia v Kyrgyz Republic

Shenzhen: Australia and Kyrgyz Republic will be equally determined to start their respective AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 campaigns on the front foot when the sides clash in their Group A opener at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium on Wednesday.

Both sides are dreaming of glory, with Australia’s best in the continental showpiece being a runners-up finish in 2010. Kyrgyz Republic did not advance past the group stage in their previous two appearances.