MD8: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 4-2 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

MD8: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 4-2 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi came from behind to end Al Gharafa’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 following their 4-2 victory at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on Monday.

The Saudi Pro League side took provisional pole position with 22 points, three ahead of Al Hilal SFC who will face UAE’s Al Wasl on Tuesday. Qatar’s Al Gharafa, meanwhile, exited the tournament after their haul of seven points wasn't enough for a top eight finish.

Al Gharafa's defeat, together with Persepolis FC's draw with Al Nassr Club earlier on Monday, confirmed progression for Qatar's Al Rayyan SC and Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan with just one more spot to be filled in the West Zone.

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MD8: Persepolis FC (IRN) 0-0 Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

MD8: Persepolis FC (IRN) 0-0 Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Tehran: A much-changed Al Nassr Club held Persepolis FC to a goalless stalemate on Monday to put the Islamic Republic of Iran side’s AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage hopes in jeopardy.

The draw took Persepolis up to eighth spot in the West Zone standings but Qatar’s Al Gharafa SC and fellow Iranian side Esteghlal FC will overtake them with victories in their final matches.

MD8: Al Shorta (IRQ) 2-0 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

MD8: Al Shorta (IRQ) 2-0 Al Ain FC (UAE)

Baghdad: Al Ain’s defence of their continental crown fizzled out in Baghdad on Monday as the side from the United Arab Emirates slipped to a 2-0 loss against Iraq’s Al Shorta to end their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 campaign at the bottom of the western league standings.

Mahmoud Al Mawas scored five minutes into the second half for the hosts before Lucas nodded in a late second to cap a miserable tournament for the two-times Asian champions, who completed their eight group stage matches with two points.

Al Shorta’s hopes of progressing to the last 16 had already been extinguished ahead of kick off due to Pakhtakor’s victory over Al Sadd earlier in the day but Mohamed Semida’s team salvaged some pride with a first win in the competition moving them onto six points.

MD8: Pakhtakor (UZB) 2-1 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

MD8: Pakhtakor (UZB) 2-1 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Tashkent: Pakhtakor confirmed their spot in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Monday with a 2-1 win over already-qualified Al Sadd in Tashkent as the side from Uzbekistan moved into the top eight with their first victory of the campaign.

Brayan Riascos scored in the 18th and 56th minutes for the hosts either side of a Hassan Al Haydos 37th minute penalty as Pakhtakor doubled their goal tally for the league phase in a game that saw Al Sadd’s Adam Ounas and Sardor Sobrikhojaev for the home side sent off.

Pakhtakor's knockout stage ticket was confirmed after Al Ahli Saudi FC defeated AL Gharafa of Qatar 4-2 while Persepolis FC had to settle for a goalless draw with Al Nassr Club. Monday's results mean that Qatar's Al Rayyan SC are also through with only one spot now remaining to be filled.

Preview - MD8: Al Wasl FC (UAE) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD8: Al Wasl FC (UAE) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Dubai: Al Wasl FC will be out to prove themselves when they welcome Al Hilal SFC to the Zabeel Stadium for their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Both teams have already qualified for the knockout stage with Al Hilal top of the standings and Al Wasl fifth.

Preview - MD8: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) v Esteghlal FC (IRN)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD8: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) v Esteghlal FC (IRN)

Al Rayyan: Al Rayyan SC can expect a full throttle charge from Esteghlal FC when the two sides meet in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Both are still in the hunt for a place in the knockout stage, with Qatar's Al Rayyan in a better position heading into the final round of matches.

Preview - MD8: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) v FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD8: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) v FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Johor Bahru: Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) will be counting on home ground advantage to see them past Pohang Steelers when the sides meet in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

JDT only need a point to be sure of advancing but the Malaysian champions will be confident of securing victory given their strength when playing at home.

Preview - MD8: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD8: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Shanghai: They may only have an outside chance of qualifying but that will be enough for Shanghai Shenhua FC to give it their all when they face Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

The China PR side ended Matchday Seven in 10th spot with seven points but their fate is no longer in their own hands going into the tie against Japan's Vissel.

Preview - MD8: Gwangju FC (KOR) v Buriram United (THA)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD8: Gwangju FC (KOR) v Buriram United (THA)

Gwangju: Debutants Gwangju FC stand between Buriram United and a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

The Korea Republic side, who are already through, will welcome Buriram to the Gwangju World Cup Stadium with the Thai team needing a draw to confirm their place in the next stage.

Preview - MD8: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD8: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Kawasaki: Kawasaki Frontale will not be expected to hold back despite having qualified for the knockout stage when they host Central Coast Mariners in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Kawasaki trail fellow Japanese sides Yokohama F. Marinos and Vissel Kobe by a point with the East Zone's top spot at stake going into the final League Stage matchday.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Tractor FC (IRN) 2 v 1 Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Tractor FC (IRN) 2 v 1 Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)

Tabriz: Tractor FC will be confident of getting the job done when they host Al Khaldiya SC in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 tie on Tuesday.

Islamic Republic of Iran's Tractor secured an important 2-1 win in the first leg with the winners to face either Al Wakrah SC of Qatar or Saudi Arabia's Al Taawoun FC in the quarter-finals.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Sharjah FC (UAE) 1 v 0 Al Hussein (JOR)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Sharjah FC (UAE) 1 v 0 Al Hussein (JOR)

Sharjah: Al Hussein FC have to hit the ground running if they are to upstage UAE's Sharjah FC in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 tie on Tuesday.

Sharjah hold a 1-0 advantage and will be confident of finishing the job, with either Jordan's Al Wehdat or Shabab Al Ahli of the UAE to meet the winners of this tie in the quarter-finals.