MD8: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) 4-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

MD8: Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) 4-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Shanghai: Saulo Mineiro scored a hat-trick as Shanghai Shenhua handed 10-man Vissel Kobe a 4-2 defeat at Shanghai Stadium on Tuesday to keep alive their dreams of a place in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

The Brazilian, who joined the Chinese Super League club during the close season, gave the home side the lead in the second minute while Powell Obinna Obi’s red card five minutes later left already-qualified Kobe with a mountain to climb.

Shinichi Chan hit his side’s second in first half injury time before Mineiro scored in the 48th and 70th minutes secured Shenhua the win needed to maintain their slim chances of a place in the next phase. Niina Tominaga and Haruya Ide netted a late consolations for the visitors.

Victory moves Shenhua onto 10 points and into the qualifying places ahead of Wednesday’s matches, when Shanghai Port face Yokohama F Marinos and Shandong Taishan play Ulsan HD, with both Chinese clubs still in contention.

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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.

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.

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.