MD4: Pakhtakor (UZB) 0-1 Al Rayyan SC (QAT)

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

MD4: Pakhtakor (UZB) 0-1 Al Rayyan SC (QAT)

Tashkent: Qatar’s Al Rayyan claimed their first win in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday when Hazem Shehata’s fortunate strike from distance was the only goal of the game at the JAR Stadium in Tashkent to earn Younes Ali’s side a 1-0 win over Pakhtakor.

The victory, which came after the defender beat Vladimir Nazarov with a miss-hit punt forward in the 51st minute, earns Al Rayyan their first points of the campaign and moves the Qatar Stars League side off the bottom of the standings in the league phase.

Pakhtakor, meanwhile, remain on two points after four games and are still waiting for their first win in the competition as the club from Tashkent slipped out of the top eight places in the table that guarantee progress to March’s knockout rounds.

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MD4: Al Nassr Club (KSA) 5-1 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

MD4: Al Nassr Club (KSA) 5-1 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Riyadh: Al Nassr Club cruised to a comfortable 5-1 win over Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday to edge closer to the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

A brace from Talisca, one each from Cristiano Ronaldo and Wesley and an own goal by Fabio Cardoso paved the way for the Saudi Arabian side, who climbed to third in the standings on 10 points. 

MD4: Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS) 3-0 Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

MD4: Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS) 3-0 Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

Johor Bahru: Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim made home advantage count as they defeated Ulsan HD FC of Korea Republic 3-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

It was JDT’s second win of their campaign, both of which have come at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium as they triumphed for the third consecutive year against Ulsan, having beaten them in the 2022 and 2023 AFC Champions League™.

The loss left two-time Asian champions Ulsan against the ropes as it was their fourth consecutive defeat with no goals scored.

MD4: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 2-0 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

MD4: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 2-0 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Kobe: Goals from Taisei Miyashiro and Daiju Sasaki saw Vissel Kobe end Gwangju FC’s perfect start to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday as the J1 League leaders handed the K-League side a 2-0 defeat in Kobe to move to the top of the eastern standings.

Takayuki Yoshida’s side silenced Jasir Asani, the competition’s leading scorer, who failed to add to his six goals from the opening three games with Kobe climbing to the top of the standings with 10 points from their opening four games.

Miyashiro gave Kobe the lead with a penalty three minutes into first half injury time and Sasaki converted from close range nine minutes after the interval to maintain the Japanese side’s own unbeaten start to the competition.

MD4: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 3-1 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

MD4: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 3-1 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Kawasaki: A dominant first half display from Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale paved the way for a 3-1 win against Shanghai Port FC of China PR in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 match on Tuesday.

On his first return to Japan for a competitive match since leaving Yokohama F. Marinos in December 2023, Kevin Muscat’s side were no match for Frontale who picked up a second win of their campaign to move onto six points. 

MD4: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 2-2 Shanghai Shenhua (CHN)

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

MD4: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 2-2 Shanghai Shenhua (CHN)

Gosford: Bailey Brandtman scored deep into injury time to earn Central Coast Mariners a dramatic 2-2 draw with Shanghai Shenhua in Gosford on Tuesday as the Chinese Super League side threw away a two goal lead in the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

Mark Jackson’s side picked up their first point of the campaign when Brandtman netted at a late corner having seen Andre Luis and Yu Hanchao give the visitors a significant advantage with goals in the 50th and 64th minutes respectively.

But Sabit Ngor pulled one back for Mariners with 15 minutes remaining and Brandtman struck five minutes into added time to break the AFC Cup holders’ losing run in the competition in front of their own fans at Central Coast Stadium.

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.

Preview - MD4: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Buriram United (THA)

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD4: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Buriram United (THA)

Yokohama: A thriller is set to unfold when Yokohama F. Marinos host Buriram United in the AFC Champions League Elite™ on Monday.

F. Marinos will be determined to bring down high-flying Buriram, with the Japanese side on four points, three behind Wednesday's opponents.

Preview - MD4: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) v Shandong Taishan (CHN)

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD4: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) v Shandong Taishan (CHN)

Pohang: FC Pohang Steelers will be determined to make home ground advantage count when they meet Shandong Taishan in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Wednesday.

Both teams need a win with Korea Republic's Pohang, on three points, one adrift of Shandong.