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. 

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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.

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.

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.

Lee’s innovativeness pays dividends for Korea Republic

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Lee’s innovativeness pays dividends for Korea Republic

Shenzhen: Head coach Lee Chang-won’s strategy to use Korea Republic's physical advantage and speed against Thailand paid off when his side overcame a one-goal deficit to emerge 4-1 winners in their U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D tie on Monday.

The victory sent the 12-time champions into the knockout stage with a game to spare, having defeated Syria 2-1 in their opening tie.

Ozeki: Team spirit helped Japan claim vital point against Syria

Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Ozeki: Team spirit helped Japan claim vital point against Syria

Shenzhen: Japan’s Yuto Ozeki praised his team’s collective spirit following their hard-fought 2-2 draw with Syria in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group D tie on Monday.

Syria took a surprise lead in the 10th minute before Ozeki levelled the score. However, the West Asian side regained the advantage through Ahmad Soufi going into the break before substitute Rento Takaoka came to Japan’s rescue to snatch a point for the 2016 winners.