MD5: Al Sadd SC (QAT) 1-1 Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

MD5: Al Sadd SC (QAT) 1-1 Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Doha: Al Hilal SFC’s perfect start to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 came to an end on Tuesday as Jorge Jesus’ side were held to a 1-1 draw by Qatar’s Al Sadd SC but a point was enough to ensure the Riyadh side advanced to the next round alongside fellow Saudi side Al Nassr Club, with Al Ahli Saudi FC having confirmed their ticket on Monday.

Ali Al Bulahyi gave Al Hilal a 10th minute lead but Paulo Otavio struck for the hosts with 19 minutes remaining to see the spoils shared, moving the former champions onto 13 points from five matches.

That leaves Al Hilal two points behind compatriots Al Ahli and level with cross-city rivals Al Nassr, with both clubs securing their places in the next round as a result of Al Shorta’s 3-1 loss to Al Wasl on Tuesday.

Al Sadd, meanwhile, move onto nine points and slip one place to fifth behind the Saudi trio and Al Wasl, who have climbed up to fourth with three games remaining.

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MD5: Al Shorta (IRQ) 1-3 Al Wasl Club (UAE)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

MD5: Al Shorta (IRQ) 1-3 Al Wasl Club (UAE)

Karbala: UAE’s Al Wasl FC defeated Al Shorta of Iraq 3-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 clash on Tuesday to raise hopes of a spot in the knockout stage.

Victory at Karbala International Stadium saw Al Wasl climb up to fourth in the standings on 10 points with Al Shorta staying in 11th place on two points.

The result meant Al Hilal SFC and Al Nassr Club joined fellow Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli Saudi FC in confirming their knockout stage spots. 

MD5: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 1-0 Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

MD5: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 1-0 Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)

Jinan: China PR's Shandong Taishan revived their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage hopes after clinching a hard-fought 1-0 win over Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim at the Jinan Olympic Sports Center on Tuesday.

Second half substitute Zeca's sublime 68th minute strike took Shandong to seven points, level with JDT whose winless away run stretched to three games.

MD5: Buriram United (THA) 0-3 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

MD5: Buriram United (THA) 0-3 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Buriram: Late goals from Sota Miura, Daiya Tono and Soma Kanda earned Kawasaki Frontale a 3-0 win over hosts Buriram United on Tuesday to boost the J1 League side’s hopes of progress to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite.

Miura volleyed home Yusuke Segawa’s cross from the right to break the deadlock before injury time goals from Tono and Kanda moved Toru Oniki’s side onto nine points and up the standings in the eastern league phase of the competition with three matches remaining.

Buriram, meanwhile, remain on seven points and the loss is the Thai League 1 side’s second in a row after a heavy defeat against Yokohama F Marinos in the previous round.

MD5: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 3-2 Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

MD5: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 3-2 Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Kobe: Vissel Kobe maintained their grip on top spot in the eastern standings of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday but Takayuki Yoshida’s side needed a late mistake by Dylan Peraic-Cullen to hand Central Coast Mariners a 3-2 defeat in Kobe.

High flying Kobe, who lifted the Emperor’s Cup on Saturday and also lead the current J1 League standings, saw a two-goal lead slip away before Peraic-Cullen allowed Daiju Sasaki’s 81st minute shot slip through his hands and over the line to give the hosts the win.

Victory moves Kobe onto 13 points from their first five games in the AFC Champions League while Central Coast remain on a solitary point, with time running out for the A-League champions to launch a challenge for a place in the next round.

MD5: Ulsan HD FC (KOR) 1-3 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

MD5: Ulsan HD FC (KOR) 1-3 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Ulsan: Matias Vargas starred with a hat-trick as Shanghai Port FC defeated Ulsan HD FC 3-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday to boost their knockout stage chances.

The Argentine forward struck in the 11th, 23rd and 83rd minutes as the China PR side, who were reduced to 10 men in the first half, inflicted a fifth consecutive defeat on Ulsan.

Blunt attack a concern for Al Rayyan’s Ali, Persepolis’ Hosseini

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Blunt attack a concern for Al Rayyan’s Ali, Persepolis’ Hosseini

Al Rayyan: Inefficiency in front of goal is becoming a major concern for Al Rayyan SC and Persepolis FC as the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 heads into the business end.

Monday’s 1-1 draw saw both sides spurning numerous chances with Al Rayyan head coach Younes Ali admitting his side’s finishing was below par.

Pioli hails clinical Al Nassr

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Pioli hails clinical Al Nassr

Al Khor: Al Nassr Club head coach Stefano Pioli lauded his team’s clinical performance following their commanding 3-1 victory over Al Gharafa, as the Saudi Arabian side moved a  step closer to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

After a tepid first half, Pioli’s charges stamped their authority after the break, Cristiano Ronaldo netting a brace with Angelo also finding the target as the Saudi Arabian side moved to 13 points and all but confirming their ticket to the next round. 

Stalemate disappointment for Esteghlal’s Mosimane, Pakhtakor’s Shatskykh

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Stalemate disappointment for Esteghlal’s Mosimane, Pakhtakor’s Shatskykh

Dubai: Esteghlal FC’s Pitso Mosimane and Maksym Shatskykh of Pakhtakor were left counting the cost of a goalless draw following their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 match on Monday.

With only seven spots left after Al Ahli Saudi FC’s qualification, time is fast running out for both Mosimane and Shatskykh as they seek to navigate their respective sides into the knockout stage.

It is Al Ahli Saudi who Mosimane has to plot against on Matchday Six next week as the head coach from South Africa rued Monday’s dropped points.

Al Ahli Saudi’s Jaissle wants reinforcements despite perfect run

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Al Ahli Saudi’s Jaissle wants reinforcements despite perfect run

Al Ain: Matthias Jaissle is eyeing reinforcements after Al Ahli Saudi FC became the first team to book their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage spot on Monday.

Second half substitute Ivan Toney scored twice in four minutes as Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli defeated Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates 2-1 to not only stay perfect with five wins but also secure their Round of 16 spot with three matches to spare. 

Preview - MD5: Gwangju FC (KOR) v Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD5: Gwangju FC (KOR) v Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)

Gwangju: Gwangju FC will target a return to winning ways when they welcome Shanghai Shenhua FC for their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 clash on Wednesday..

The Korea Republic side's perfect start to their debut continental campaign was ended by a 2-0 defeat to Japan's Vissel Kobe on Matchday Four, with the Japanese team taking top spot at the expense of Gwangju.

Preview - MD5: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD5: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Yokohama: Yokohama F. Marinos will be counting on their impressive home record to bag full points against FC Pohang Steelers in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Wednesday.

Despite a dreadful start to their campaign, Marinos ended Matchday Four third in the standings on seven points with Pohang one adrift in seventh spot.