MD6: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3-0 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

MD6: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3-0 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC returned to the summit of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 West Zone standings after a 3-0 win against Al Gharafa SC on Tuesday.

The four-time Asian champions moved level on 16 points with fellow Saudi Arabia side Al Ahli Saudi FC but with a better goal difference while Al Gharafa retained a slim chance of progression as they stayed on four points.

The result also meant UAE’s Al Wasl FC, who drew 1-1 with Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC on Monday, booked their place in the knockout stage.

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MD6: Pakhtakor (UZB) 1-1 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

MD6: Pakhtakor (UZB) 1-1 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Tashkent: Reigning continental champions Al Ain continue to cling on to their hopes of a place in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 after Leonardo Jardim’s side earned a 1-1 draw with Pakhtakor despite playing the final 35 minutes in Tashkent with 10 men.

Soufiane Rahimi struck in the 49th minute to cancel out Otabek Jurakuziyev’s sixth minute opener before Yahia Nader was sent off for a dangerous tackle in the 55th minute to leave the holders short-handed.

The draw moves Al Ain onto two points and leaves the champions three adrift of eighth-placed Esteghlal in the west league standings with two matches remaining while Pakhtakor are one point further ahead of the side from the United Arab Emirates.

MD6: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) 1-1 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

MD6: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) 1-1 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Shanghai: China PR’s Shanghai Port FC and Gwangju FC of Korea Republic battled to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

The result meant that both teams are still on course to secure their respective spots in the knockout stage with Gwangju moving up to 13 points while Port have eight with two matches remaining.

MD6: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 0-0 Buriram United (THA)

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

MD6: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 0-0 Buriram United (THA)

Johor Bahru: Johor Darul Ta’zim found custodian Neil Etheridge in outstanding form as the Malaysian side had to settle for a 0-0 draw with Thailand’s Buriram United in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium on Tuesday.

Johor Darul Ta/zim ended the match with nine men and Buriram with 10 as both moved up to eight points and still in the hunt for spots in the next round.

MD6: Pohang Steelers (KOR) 3-1 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

MD6: Pohang Steelers (KOR) 3-1 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Pohang: Two goals in seven first-half minutes earned Pohang Steelers a 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe on Tuesday as the Korean FA Cup winners claimed a much-needed three points in their quest for a place in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

Han Chan-hee gave the home side the lead in the 13th minute and Kim In-sung doubled the advantage in the 20th minute before Daiju Sasaki pulled one back for the J1 League leaders from the penalty spot with 11 minutes left in the half. Jeong Jae-hee struck in injury time to seal the win.

Kobe dominated the second half but were unable to level the scores as Takayuki Yoshida’s side, who led the eastern standings going into the sixth round of matches, lost for the first time in the competition.

As a result, Kobe remain on 13 points while Pohang move onto nine points and back into the qualification places for a spot in the last 16 of the continental club championship.

MD6: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 0-4 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

MD6: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 0-4 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Gosford: Yokohama F Marinos cruised to a third win in a row in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 as John Hutchison’s J1 League side handed Central Coast Mariners a 4-0 defeat in Gosford on Tuesday to strengthen their hopes of a place in the next phase.

Kenta Inoue struck in the sixth and 30th minutes to give the Japanese club a strong start at Central Coast Stadium before Anderson Lopes, in the 36th minute, and Jun Amano with a 70th minute free kick put the result beyond doubt.

Victory moves Marinos onto 13 points from six games going into the two-month break before the next round of matches while Central Coast remain on a solitary point and the chances of the A-League side claiming a place in the knockout rounds are all-but gone.

Sanchez revels in Al Sadd’s tactical masterclass

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Sanchez revels in Al Sadd’s tactical masterclass

Riyadh: Al Sadd head coach Felix Sanchez lauded his team’s grit after a last-gasp penalty sealed a thrilling 2-1 win over Al Nassr Club on Monday, securing the Qatari side’s spot in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

Al Nassr cancelled out Akram Afif’s opener through Romain Saiss’ own goal before the AFC Asian Player of the Year drew a foul in stoppage time with Adam Ounas converting from the spot.

Jaissle pleased as Al Ahli pass stiff Esteghlal test

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Jaissle pleased as Al Ahli pass stiff Esteghlal test

Jeddah: Their winning run may have been halted but head coach Matthias Jaissle was delighted that Al Ahli Saudi FC fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie against Esteghlal on Monday.

Having already confirmed their knockout stage spot on Matchday Five, Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli had to claw back twice against their opponents from the Islamic Republic of Iran with Jaissle taking home the positives.

Milojevic, Ali accept Al Wasl-Al Rayyan stalemate

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Milojevic, Ali accept Al Wasl-Al Rayyan stalemate

Dubai: Al Wasl FC’s Milos Milojevic and Younes Ali of Al Rayyan SC were satisfied after their teams played to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 clash on Monday.

Milojevic admitted the stalemate was a fair result despite Al Wasl being five minutes away from achieving a win that would have sealed their knockout stage spot.

Garrido hails Persepolis’ indomitable spirit

Tue, 03 Dec, 2024

Garrido hails Persepolis’ indomitable spirit

Doha: Juan Carlos Garrido was extremely proud after Persepolis FC revived their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage hopes with a 2-1 win against Iraq’s Al Shorta on Monday.

The Islamic Republic of Iran side showed grit and determination to defeat Al Shorta, drawing level in the 89th minute and then proceeding to score the winner through Giorgi Gvelesiani deep in stoppage time to move up to six points with two matches remaining.

Preview - MD6: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Preview - MD6: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

Shanghai: Shanghai Shenhua will be aiming to inflict more pain on Ulsan HD when the sides meet in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Wednesday.

China PR's Shenhua are well in the race for a knockout stage spot while Ulsan HD are almost surely eliminated after a run of five consecutive defeats.

Preview - MD6: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) v Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)

Wed, 04 Dec, 2024

Preview - MD6: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) v Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)

Kawasaki: Kawasaki Frontale will be targeting revenge when they welcome Shandong Taishan FC to the Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium for their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Wednesday.

China PR's Shandong eliminated Frontale from the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24, winning their Round of 16 tie 6-5 on aggregate.