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.

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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: 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.

Group D - MD2: Thailand 1-4 Korea Republic

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Group D - MD2: Thailand 1-4 Korea Republic

Shenzhen: Korea Republic confirmed their spot in the knockout stage of the U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 after coming from behind to defeat Thailand 4-1 at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch 1 on Monday.

The win assured Korea Republic a top two finish irrespective of their final Group D clash against Japan, who drew 2-2 with Syria earlier on Monday. 

The defeat eliminates Thailand, who lost 3-0 to Japan in their first match.

#ACLElite - Shandong’s Qazaishvili wins MD7 (East) best goal poll

Fri, 21 Feb, 2025

#ACLElite - Shandong’s Qazaishvili wins MD7 (East) best goal poll

Kuala Lumpur: Valeri Qazaishvili emerged the winner of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 East Zone's Matchday 7 best goals poll with 61 percent of the votes.

Qazaishvili's fantastic strike for Shandong Taishan paved the way for the China PR side to collect three points against Korea Republic's Gwangju FC, with the forward advancing to the semi-finals.

Group D - MD2: Syria 2-2 Japan

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Group D - MD2: Syria 2-2 Japan

Shenzhen: Japan had to twice come from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw with Syria in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D tie at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium on Monday.

The result took Japan to four points while Syria, who were defeated by Korea Republic in their opening match, will rue having to settle for a draw after producing a valiant performance.

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.