MD8: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 2-0 Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

MD8: Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 2-0 Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Kawasaki: Kawasaki Frontale completed the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 with a 2-0 win over Australia’s Central Coast Mariners at Todoroki Stadium on Tuesday as the J1 League side notched up their sixth victory in eight games ahead of the knockout rounds.

Brazilian striker Erison scored from the penalty spot nine minutes before half time and Marcinho struck deep into injury time to move Kawasaki onto 18 points and Shigetoshi Hasebe’s side will now wait to find out who they face in the last 16.

The result means Central Coast end the league phase bottom of the 12-team standings with a solitary point, with Mark Jackson’s AFC Cup™ 203/24 winners losing seven of their eight matches.

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MD8: Gwangju FC (KOR) 2-2 Buriram United (THA)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

MD8: Gwangju FC (KOR) 2-2 Buriram United (THA)

Gwangju: Buriram United booked their berth in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage despite having to settle for a 2-2 draw with Gwangju FC on Tuesday.

Thailand's Buriram let slip a 2-0 first half lead after the break but the stalemate was enough to take them up to 12 points, assuring them of a top eight finish in the East Zone while Korea republic's Gwangju finished a further two in front.

Preview - MD8: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD8: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Shanghai: Shanghai Port FC will have to do what six teams before them have failed to do - defeat Yokohama F. Marinos - if the Chinese side are to stand a chance of advancing to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

Shanghai Port ended Matchday Seven in ninth place with eight points while Yokohama are perched at the top and will be aiming to end the League Stage in that position.

Preview - MD8: Ulsan HD FC (KOR) v Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD8: Ulsan HD FC (KOR) v Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)

Ulsan: Shandong Taishan FC will be out to inflict more early season misery on Ulsan HD FC when the two sides meet in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Wednesday.

Victory for Shandong will confirm their spot in the Round of 16 while Ulsan HD are already eliminated after suffering their sixth defeat in seven matches last week.

Proud Jaissle sets Al Ahli title target

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Proud Jaissle sets Al Ahli title target

Jeddah: Matthias Jaissle wants his players to reach for the stars after Al Ahli Saudi FC completed a near-perfect AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 league stage campaign with a 4-2 win against Al Gharafa SC on Monday.

With seven wins and one draw, only an Al Hilal SFC win on Tuesday will deny Al Ahli the top spot in the West Zone - leading Jaissle to believe that this could be the season that the Saudi Arabian side finally land their first continental title.

Pioli urges Al Nassr to aim higher

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Pioli urges Al Nassr to aim higher

Tehran: Stefano Pioli has called for a concerted effort in the business end from Al Nassr Club after they completed the league stage of the  AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 League Stage with a goalless draw against Persepolis FC on Monday.

The point meant Al Nassr ended the League Stage campaign in third place with 17 points with head coach Pioli urging his players to aim higher, with the Saudi Arabia club to face the West Zone's sixth-placed finishers in the Round of 16. 

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Al Taawoun FC (KSA) 2 v 2 Al Wakrah SC (QAT)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Al Taawoun FC (KSA) 2 v 2 Al Wakrah SC (QAT)

Buraidah: Al Taawoun FC will hope history does not repeat when they face Al Wakrah SC in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 tie on Wednesday.

The Saudi Arabian side had to settle for a 2-2 draw after twice taking the lead against Qatar's Al Wakrah in last week's first leg.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) 2 v 0 Al Wehdat (JOR)

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Shabab Al Ahli (UAE) 2 v 0 Al Wehdat (JOR)

Dubai: Shabab Al Ahli will tread with caution despite holding a two-goal advantage when they welcome Al Wehdat to the Rashid Stadium for their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 second leg tie on Wednesday.

Sardar Azmoun's brace secured Shabab Al Ahli a healthy advantage and they will be determined to get the job done, which will set up a quarter-final against either Jordan's Al Hussein or fellow UAE side Sharjah FC.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Bangkok United (THA) 2 v 2 Sydney FC (AUS)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Bangkok United (THA) 2 v 2 Sydney FC (AUS)

Pathum Thani: Bangkok United and Sydney FC are set for a no-holds-barred clash when they square off in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 tie on Wednesday.

Thitiphan Puangjan's goal in stoppage time meant the spoils were shared in last week's first leg and both sides will be equally confident of their chances at the Thammasat Stadium.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) 3 v 0 Nam Dinh FC (VIE)

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) 3 v 0 Nam Dinh FC (VIE)

Hiroshima: Sanfrecce Hiroshima will not take any risks when they meet Nam Dinh FC in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 tie on Wednesday.

The Japanese side were impressive in the first leg and with a three-goal cushion, will already have an eye on the quarter-finals, with their opponents to be either Thailand's Muangthong United FC or Lion City Sailors of Singapore.

Europe Wrap: Japan stars shine bright

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Europe Wrap: Japan stars shine bright

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s wealth of talent was evident across European leagues as Kaoru Mitoma, Daizen Maeda, Takumi Minamino, Takefusa Kubo and Isa Sakamoto all put their names on the scoresheet for their respective sides.

Australia’s Calem Nieuwenhof and IR Iran’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh also joined in the goals as the rest of the Asian contingent played their part in bringing Asian football to the fore.

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