MD7: Al Ain FC (UAE) 1-2 Al Rayyan SC (QAT)

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

MD7: Al Ain FC (UAE) 1-2 Al Rayyan SC (QAT)

Al Ain: Al Ain FC’s defence of their continental crown came to an end on Monday as a 2-1 loss to Qatar’s Al Rayyan at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium saw the side from the United Arab Emirates crashing out of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

Needing to win to keep any realistic hope of advancing alive, Leonardo Jardim’s side went ahead through Alejandro Romero in the 42nd minute but second half goals from Mahmoud Trezeguet and Roger Guedes dished out defeat to the two-time Asian champions.

The result leaves Al Ain on two points from seven games while Al Rayyan move onto eight and the Qatar Stars League side will go into their final league phase meeting with Esteghlal on February 18 in contention for a place in the last 16.

Al Ain’s fate, meanwhile, was sealed after Islamic Republic of Iran's Esteghlal played to a 1-1 against Iraq’s Al Shorta in Tehran.

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MD7: Al Nassr Club (KSA) 4-0 Al Wasl FC (UAE)

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

MD7: Al Nassr Club (KSA) 4-0 Al Wasl FC (UAE)

Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo kicked off his 40th birthday celebrations with a brace as Al Nassr Club eased to a 4-0 victory over Al Wasl FC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie at the Al Awwal Park on Monday.

The Riyad-based side, who have already secured their knockout stage spot, bounced back in style  after the Matchday Six defeat to Qatar’s Al Sadd with Ronaldo’s double coming after Ali Alhassan had given them the lead. Substitute Mohammed Al Fatil netted their fourth late in the game. 

MD7: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 1-1 Al Shorta (IRQ)

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

MD7: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 1-1 Al Shorta (IRQ)

Tehran: Esteghlal edged closer to a place in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Monday as the side from the Islamic Republic of Iran drew 1-1 with Al Shorta at the Azadi Stadium, pushing the Iraqis nearer elimination while knocking out champions Al Ain.

Joel Kojo gave the Iranians the lead in the fourth minute but Rewan Amin levelled four minutes after the interval for the visitors, whose slim chances of a top eight finish in the league phase and a last 16 berth now hinge on results in other matches.

The draw moves Esteghlal onto six points from seven games with Al Shorta on three, meaning defending champions Al Ain cannot climb into the qualification places for the knockout rounds with one league phase match remaining.

MD7: Al Sadd SC (QAT) 1-3 Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Thu, 06 Feb, 2025

MD7: Al Sadd SC (QAT) 1-3 Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Doha: Al Ahli Saudi FC’s excellent AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 campaign continued after they came from behind to defeat Qatar’s Al Sadd SC 3-1 at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Monday.

Both sides had already secured their respective spots in the next stage prior to the game with the victory taking Al Ahli to 19 points which ensures them a top four finish in the League Stage and a home tie in the second leg of the Round of 16.

Preview - MD7: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Persepolis FC (IRN)

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Persepolis FC (IRN)

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC will expect another three points when they play Persepolis FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Chasing a fifth continental title, Al Hilal SFC booked their Round of 16 spot with three matches to spare and will aim to finish as the League Stage winners.

Preview - MD7: Al Gharafa (QAT) v Pakhtakor (UZB)

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Al Gharafa (QAT) v Pakhtakor (UZB)

Al Rayyan: Expect a no-holds barred clash when Al Gharafa and Pakhtakor square off in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Tied on four points and just outside the knockout stage qualifying spots, both need victory if they are to keep their hopes alive.

#ACLElite Fantasy Football: Matchday 7 tips and tricks

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

#ACLElite Fantasy Football: Matchday 7 tips and tricks

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Group Stage is nearing its finale with Matchday 7 kicking off on Monday in the West before crossing over to the East on February 11.  

With 11 knockout round qualification spots still up for grabs and only one of the 24 sides already eliminated, brace yourselves for an exhilarating couple of weeks.  
 
Meanwhile, if you're a Fantasy manager and need some help on who to bring into your starting line-up ahead of Matchday 7, read on to find out! 
 
But before we get to the tips and tricks, for those who haven’t joined yet, we have a Redemption League for you to take part in where you can compete with new users and win prizes!  
 
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite/fantasy.html?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=topMenuBar&utm_campaign=aclefantasy&utm_content=ENG 

West Asia Wrap: Kaio makes dream debut for Al Hilal; Al Duhail stay ahead

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

West Asia Wrap: Kaio makes dream debut for Al Hilal; Al Duhail stay ahead

Doha: Kaio Cesar made a debut to remember as the Brazilian paved the way for Al Hilal SFC's 4-0 defeat of Al Akhdoud to stay top of the Saudi Pro League standings.

Al Ittihad kept pace with Al Hilal with a stirring fightback against Al Kholood while Al Duhail SC maintained their advantage in Qatar.
 
There were also matches in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon and Oman so join the-AFC.com in our weekly wrap of the West Asian domestic scene.

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor close in on Sepahan; Mohun Bagan stretch unbeaten run

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

Central & South Asia Wrap: Tractor close in on Sepahan; Mohun Bagan stretch unbeaten run

Tehran: Sepahan maintained a slim lead over Tractor FC in the Iran Pro League while Mohun Bagan Super Giant extended their unbeaten run in the Indian Super League to seven matches.

The-AFC.com brings you a wrap of the domestic league action played across Central and South Asia this past week.

ASEAN Wrap: Phnom Penh Crown maintain lead; JDT, Sri Pahang set up Malaysia Cup final date

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

ASEAN Wrap: Phnom Penh Crown maintain lead; JDT, Sri Pahang set up Malaysia Cup final date

Kuala Lumpur: Phnom Penh Crown kept their noses in front in the Cambodia Premier League while Johor Darul Ta'zim and Sri Pahang will meet in the final of the Malaysia Cup.

In Laos, league leaders Ezra FC narrowly beat Young Elephant in a top-of-the-table encounter, while Adelaide United’s title hopes suffered a setback in Australia.

There were also matches in Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the domestic action across ASEAN this past week.