MD7: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 1-2 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 1-2 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Gosford: Debutant Alvaro Gonzalez scored twice in the second half as Johor Darul Ta’zim secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Tuesday to move the Malaysian side closer to a berth in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

The Spaniard netted in the 64th and 79th minutes to earn JDT their first away win in the competition after Mariners goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen had been sent off in first half injury time and Alou Kuol cancelled out Gonzalez’s opener.

The victory moved JDT onto 11 points from seven matches and the Malaysia Super League champions have to defeat FC Pohang Steelers next week to be absolutely sure of advancing to the next round.

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MD7: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 3-1 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 3-1 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Jinan: Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan produced a stunning performance to cruise 3-1 past Gwangju FC of Korea Republic on Tuesday to revive their hopes of reaching the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

The win moved Shandong up to 10 points and they must win their Matchday Eight fixture against Korea Republic’s Ulsan HD next week to stand a chance of advancing.

Defeat left Gwangju rooted on 13 points but they sealed their spot in the Round of 16 as they are assured of a top eight finish. Also through from the East Zone following Tuesday's results were Japanese trio Vissel Kobe, Yokohama F. Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale.

MD7: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 4-0 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 4-0 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Kobe: Hosts Vissel Kobe handed Shanghai Port a crushing 4-0 defeat on Tuesday as the J1 League champions confirmed their progress to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

Yoshinori Muto, Yuya Kuwasaki, Koya Yuruki and Yuya Osako were all on target for Takayuki Yoshida’s side while Shanghai Port goalkeeper Yan Junling saved a penalty from Osako in a one-sided display at Kobe Wing Stadium.

The win moves the Japanese outfit onto 16 points from their seven games so far and guarantees the 2020 semi-finalists a place in the last 16 with one round of matches remaining.

Shanghai Port, meanwhile, will have to wait until their final group phase match against Yokohama F. Marinos next Wednesday to add to their eight points as Kevin Muscat’s side attempt to progress as well.

MD7: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 0-4 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 0-4 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Pohang: Kawasaki Frontale booked their berth in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 with a 4-0 win against 10-man FC Pohang Steelers on Tuesday.

The win took Frontale up to 15 points, sealing their progress to the Round of 16 as they are assured of a top eight finish while Pohang’s fate will be decided in their final match next week.

Preview - MD7: Buriram United (THA) v Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Buriram United (THA) v Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

Buriram: Buriram United will be out to strengthen their claim on a knockout stage spot and, in the process, end Ulsan HD FC's hopes when they two sides meet in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Wednesday.

Thailand's Buriram ended Matchday Six in eighth spot while Korea Republic champions Ulsan HD were 11th.

Preview - MD7: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)

Yokohama: After a disastrous start was followed by a five-match unbeaten run, Yokohama F. Marinos will expect to book their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage ticket with victory over Shanghai Shenhua FC when they square off on Wednesday.

Prior to the winter break, Marinos led the standings on goal difference ahead of Korea Republic's Gwangju FC and fellow Japanese side Vissel Kobe, with all three on 13 points.

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Al Wakrah SC (QAT) v Al Taawoun SC (KSA)

Thu, 13 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Al Wakrah SC (QAT) v Al Taawoun SC (KSA)

Al Wakrah: Al Wakrah SC will have no margin for error when they host Al Taawoun SC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Qatar's Al Wakrah snuck into the knockout stage as the runners-up of the three-team Group A while Al Taawoun soared to the Group B top spot.

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Al Wehdat (JOR) v Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Al Wehdat (JOR) v Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Amman: Al Wehdat and Shabab Al Ahli are set for a thrilling contest when they square off in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Both sides impressed in the group stage, with Jordan's Al Wehdat finishing second in Group C while UAE's Shabab Al Ahli comfortably topped Group D.

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Nam Dinh FC (VIE) v Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Nam Dinh FC (VIE) v Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Nam Dinh: Vietnam's Nam Dinh FC can expect to be tested when they meet Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

While Nam Dinh had to work hard to finish second in Group G, Japan's Sanfrecce cruised to the Group E top spot, finishing four points clear of Sydney FC.

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Sydney FC (AUS) v Bangkok United (THA)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 1st Leg: Sydney FC (AUS) v Bangkok United (THA)

Sydney: Sydney FC will tread with caution when they welcome Bangkok United for the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

While Australia's Sydney finished second in Group E, Bangkok United cruised into the knockout stage after topping Group G.

Europe Wrap: Maeda steals the spotlight

Tue, 11 Feb, 2025

Europe Wrap: Maeda steals the spotlight

Kuala Lumpur: Daizen Maeda took his tally to 21 goals across all competitions for Celtic when the Japanese international scored five times in total in the Premiership and Scottish Cup over the past week.

Uzbekistan’s Abdukodir Khusanov scored his first while Japan international Kaoru Mitoma and Korea Republic’s Yang Hyun-jun grabbed a goal apiece in FA and Scottish Cup action.

Follow the-AFC.com as we look at what the rest of Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe this past week.

Preview - Group A: China PR v Qatar

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group A: China PR v Qatar

Shenzhen: China PR will be looking to maximise home ground advantage when they kick off their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group A campaign against Qatar on Wednesday.

Head coach Dejan Durdevic has set lofty ambitions for his side as they seek to gain a place at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Chile 2025, having last qualified for the global showpiece in 2014.

Preview - Group A: Australia v Kyrgyz Republic

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Preview - Group A: Australia v Kyrgyz Republic

Shenzhen: Australia and Kyrgyz Republic will be equally determined to start their respective AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 campaigns on the front foot when the sides clash in their Group A opener at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium on Wednesday.

Both sides are dreaming of glory, with Australia’s best in the continental showpiece being a runners-up finish in 2010. Kyrgyz Republic did not advance past the group stage in their previous two appearances. 

#AFCU20 - Players to watch

Mon, 10 Feb, 2025

#AFCU20 - Players to watch

Shenzhen: The AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 kicks off on Wednesday with 16 teams vying for the coveted title.

As the countdown to the kick-off gathers pace, the-AFC.com highlights one player to watch per team.

#AFCU20 - Know your China 2025 teams

Thu, 06 Feb, 2025

#AFCU20 - Know your China 2025 teams

Shenzhen: The AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 kicks off on Wednesday with 16 teams set to vie for the title.

Twelve will be seeking to emerge champions again and as the excitement peaks, join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the four groups.