MD4: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 4-2 Shandong Taishan (CHN)

Thu, 07 Nov, 2024

MD4: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 4-2 Shandong Taishan (CHN)

Pohang: FC Pohang Steelers cruised to a 4-2 win over China PR’s Shandong Taishan at the Steelyard on Wednesday to revive their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25  campaign.

The win took Pohang to six points while Shandong remained rooted on four.

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MD4: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) 5-0 Buriram United (THA)

Thu, 07 Nov, 2024

MD4: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) 5-0 Buriram United (THA)

Yokohama: Yokohama F Marinos handed 10-man Buriram United a 5-0 defeat at International Stadium on Wednesday to climb up the standings in the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 as the competition reaches the halfway stage.

Anderson Lopes scored twice after Kenta Inoue had given the hosts an 11th minute lead while a Neil Etheridge own goal and a close range effort from Asahi Uenaka in the 66th minute completed the win for John Hutchison’s side after Sasalak Haiprakhon’s sending off.

Marinos, who lost their opening game of the campaign 7-3 to Gwangju FC, move up to third in the standings with seven points, ahead of Buriram on goal-difference as the Thai League 1 side drop to sixth in the quest for a top eight finish and a place in the knockout rounds.

Pioli revels in Al Nassr's dominant display over Al Ain

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Pioli revels in Al Nassr's dominant display over Al Ain

Riyadh: Head coach Stefano Pioli expressed satisfaction with Al Nassr Club’s continued improvement following their commanding 5-1 win over Al Ain FC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Pioli’s charges raced to a 3-0 first half lead which paved the way for the Saudi Arabia side to claim a third win and third place in the standings.

Ali eyes resurgence as Al Rayyan end barren run

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Ali eyes resurgence as Al Rayyan end barren run

Tashkent: Al Rayyan SC finally secured their first AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 victory following a 1-0 win over Pakhtakor on Tuesday with head coach Younes Ali highlighting his side’s resilience for the triumph.

Having weathered heavy pressure in the first half, Ali oversaw a reversal in the second half with Hazem Shehata bagging the winner in the 51st minute to end Al Rayyan’s three-match losing run and revive their progression chances as the Qatari side moved into the knockout stage spots with four matches to go.

Kobe’s tenacity pleases Yoshida; Gwangju’s Lee accepts defeat

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Kobe’s tenacity pleases Yoshida; Gwangju’s Lee accepts defeat

Kobe: Vissel Kobe head coach Tadayuki Yoshida commended his team’s defensive discipline after their 2-0 victory over Gwangju FC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/25 tie on Tuesday.

The result lifted the Japanese champions to the top of the East Zone standings with four rounds lo play.

Relief for Frontale’s Oniki; Port’s Muscat disappointed with first half showing

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Relief for Frontale’s Oniki; Port’s Muscat disappointed with first half showing

Kawasaki: Head coach Toru Oniki was delighted to come through a difficult period with some positives after his Kawasaki Frontale side claimed a 3-1 win against Shanghai Port FC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Since announcing that he will step down from the role at the end of the season, Oniki has seen his side fail to win in their last three matches in all competitions but the shackles were well and truly off against the newly-crowned Chinese Super League champions.

Bidoglio: JDT's philosophy delivered win

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Bidoglio: JDT's philosophy delivered win

Johor Bahru: Hector Bidoglio was proud that the Johor Darul Ta'zim philosophy was on full display in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 win over Ulsan HD on Tuesday.

Goals from Arif Aiman, Oscar Arribas and Bergson saw the Malaysian side defeating Ulsan HD for the third season running at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium as they stayed well on course for a knockout stage spot.

Our best performance, says Mariners' Jackson

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Our best performance, says Mariners' Jackson

Gosford: Mark Jackson was effusive in his praise after Central Coast Mariners fought back from two goals down to earn the first point of their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 campaign on Tuesday.

Trailing 2-0 to China PR's Shanghai Shenhua after goals from Andre Luis and Yu Hanchao, the Australian side reduced the deficit through Sabit Ngor with 15 minutes on the clock with Bailey Brandtman scoring deep into injury time to end Mariners' three-match losing run.

Al Hilal’s Mitrovic credits hat-trick to teammates

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Al Hilal’s Mitrovic credits hat-trick to teammates

Riyadh: Aleksandar Mitrovic attributed his hat-trick as a collective team effort after Al Hilal SFC defeated Esteghlal FC 3-0 on Monday to remain perfect in the AFC Champions League Elite™.

The three goals took Mitrovic’s tally to five as he moved into joint-second on the scorers chart with the Serbian keen to share the glory with his teammates. 

Five-star Al Ahli Saudi thrill Jaissle

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Five-star Al Ahli Saudi thrill Jaissle

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi head coach Matthias Jaissle was full of praise for his players after their 5-1 victory over Iraq’s Al Shorta in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Monday.

The comprehensive win marked Al Ahli Saudi’s fourth consecutive victory, moving them closer to securing their place in the knockout stage.

Misfiring Persepolis disappoint Garrido

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Misfiring Persepolis disappoint Garrido

Dubai: Juan Carlos Garrido was not a happy man after his Persepolis FC side were not able to take maximum points from their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie against Al Gharafa, which left the Islamic Republic of Iran side sitting outside of the qualification spots at the halfway stage.

From allowing themselves to be pegged back so quickly after taking the lead to missing a multitude of chances in the closing period of the match, Garrido said there’s much to do if his side are to avoid early elimination.

Al Sadd’s Sanchez pleased with draw

Tue, 05 Nov, 2024

Al Sadd’s Sanchez pleased with draw

Dubai: They had to fight back to get a share of the points but head coach Felix Sanchez was pleased with the final outcome as Al Sadd SC remained on course for a spot in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 after a 1-1 draw with Al Wasl on Monday.

Romain Saiss equalised for Qatar's Al Sadd in the 61st minute after Alexis Perez had put Al Wasl ahead in the first half, with the UAE side then having to endure the final minutes with a man down after Soufiane Bouftini was sent off.