MD5: Al Ain FC (UAE) 1-2 Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

MD5: Al Ain FC (UAE) 1-2 Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Al Ain: Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC became the first team to book their spot in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 after defeating Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates 2-1 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

England international Ivan Toney stepped off the bench to score twice in four minutes to maintain Al Ahli’s perfect start to the competition, Matthias Jaissle’s side moving onto 15 points from the first five games to guarantee their progress to the last 16 following Monday's other results.

The result leaves reigning continental champions Al Ain, playing their first game in the competition under new boss Leonardo Jardim, rooted to the bottom of the standings in West Asia and, with three matches remaining, their hopes of going through to the next phase of the competition are rapidly disappearing.

The top eight finishers in the 12-team leagues on each side of the continent progress to the Round of 16 and, while Al Ahli moved into pole position with the win on Monday, the side from the United Arab Emirates are three points adrift of the qualification places.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3058503

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3058505

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3058507

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3058509

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3058656

MD5: Al Gharafa (QAT) 1-3 Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

MD5: Al Gharafa (QAT) 1-3 Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Al Khor: Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club edged closer to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage with a 3-1 win against Al Gharafa of Qatar at the Al Bayt Stadium on Monday.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened Al Nassr’s account with a towering header a minute after the break before adding his second in the 64th minute following Angelo’s 58th minute strike. Joselu pulled one back for Al Gharafa but Al Nassr held firm to move to 13 points.

MD5: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) 1-1 Persepolis FC (IRN)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

MD5: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) 1-1 Persepolis FC (IRN)

Al Rayyan: Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC fought back to hold Persepolis FC of Islamic Republic of Iran to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 match on Monday.

Al Rayyan put aside their indifferent domestic form and showed plenty of determination to earn the fourth point of their campaign while Persepolis are one adrift, with the top eight teams to advance from the West Zone to the knockout stage.

MD5: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 0-0 Pakhtakor (UZB)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

MD5: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 0-0 Pakhtakor (UZB)

Dubai: Esteghlal FC and Pakhtakor’s struggles continued after they played to a goalless stalemate in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Monday.

It was a result which suited neither side with Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal moving to four points with Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor one behind with only the top eight teams to advance to the knockout stage.

Preview - MD5: Al Sadd SC (QAT) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD5: Al Sadd SC (QAT) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Doha: Al Sadd SC are set to face their toughest test yet in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 when they host Al Hilal SFC on Tuesday.

Qatar's Al Sadd are well poised to advance to the knockout stage and will relish the chance of testing themselves against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal, who have a perfect 12 points heading into the tie.

Preview - MD5: Al Shorta (IRQ) v Al Wasl Club (UAE)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD5: Al Shorta (IRQ) v Al Wasl Club (UAE)

Karbala: Al Wasl FC will be out to strengthen their claim on a spot in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 when they travel to face Al Shorta on Tuesday.

UAE's Al Wasl are fifth on seven points, four ahead of Qatar's Al Gharafa SC, while Iraq's Al Shorta desperately need to add to the two points they have on the board.

Preview - MD5: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) v Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD5: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) v Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)

Jinan: Shandong Taishan FC will be desperate to maximise home ground advantage when they face Johor Darul Ta'zim in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

China PR's Shandong Taishan are on four points at the midway stage with Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim three ahead.

Preview - MD5: Buriram United (THA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD5: Buriram United (THA) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Buriram: Buriram United will be seeking to rebound when they host Kawasaki Frontale in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Having enjoyed a good start, Buriram suffered a 5-0 defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos on Matchday Four, with the result seeing them drop to sixth in the standings on seven points.

Preview - MD5: Ulsan HD FC (KOR) v Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD5: Ulsan HD FC (KOR) v Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Ulsan: Ulsan HD will hope to reverse their fortunes when they host Shanghai Port FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

The two-time AFC Champions League™ winners are still seeking their first point and goal on this season's continental stage and another defeat will all but end their hopes of advancing to the next round.

Preview - MD5: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD5: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Kobe: Vissel Kobe will be determined to cling on to the top spot when they welcome Central Coast Mariners for their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Japan's Vissel lead the East Zone standings with 10 points while Australia's Mariners' only have a draw to show for so far after four matches.

#ACLTwo - Preview: Matchday Five

Mon, 25 Nov, 2024

#ACLTwo - Preview: Matchday Five

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Two 2024-2025 enters the business end with Matchday Five this week.

While Islamic Republic of Iran's Tractor FC and Sanfrecce Hiroshima of Japan have already booked their Round of 16 spots, 14 places are still available with just two matchdays remaining.

The-AFC.com takes a look at what can be expected on Matchday Five, with games to be played between Tuesday and Thursday.

West Asia Wrap: Al Khaleej end Al Hilal's unbeaten run; Al Duhail in five-star show

Mon, 25 Nov, 2024

West Asia Wrap: Al Khaleej end Al Hilal's unbeaten run; Al Duhail in five-star show

Doha: Al Khaleej defeated Al Hilal SFC for the first time in 15 meetings as they ended the four-time Asian champions' phenomenal Saudi Pro League unbeaten run.

Al Duhail SC maintained their grip on the Qatar Stars League top spot with a 5-0 defeat of Al Arabi while Sharjah opened a two-point advantage in the UAE Pro League.

There were also matches in Bahrain and Syria so join the-AFC.com as we review the past week's domestic action across West Asia.

East Asia Wrap: Shanghai Port complete double; Vissel Kobe lift Emperor's Cup

Mon, 25 Nov, 2024

East Asia Wrap: Shanghai Port complete double; Vissel Kobe lift Emperor's Cup

Wenzhou: Shanghai Port capped a dominant season after defeating Shandong Taishan 3-1 to clinch the 2024 Chinese FA Cup, becoming only the fourth club after Shandong Taishan, Dalian Shide and Guangzhou Evergrande to achieve the domestic double in the same season.

In Japan, Vissel Kobe beat Gamba Osaka in the final of the Emperor's Cup to stay on track for a domestic double as well while Ulsan HD saw off Suwon FC 4-2 to finish eight points ahead of second-placed Gangwon FC in Korea Republic.

There were also matches in Hong Kong, so join the-AFC.com as we recap the past week's domestic action across East Asia.