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.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/preview-matchday-eight-|-afc-champions-league-elite™

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 - 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.

Uzbekistan’s Urinboev dreaming of repeating 2023

Mon, 17 Feb, 2025

Uzbekistan’s Urinboev dreaming of repeating 2023

Shenzhen: Muhammadali Urinboev led by example again in Uzbekistan’s 3-1 win against Indonesia as the defending champions secured their place in the knockout stage of the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 on Sunday.

Urinboev scored for the second successive game, with the skipper looking towards the 2023 title-winning side as inspiration with Uzbekistan believing that they are capable of defending their crown.

Zamani: IR Iran can win title

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Zamani: IR Iran can win title

Shenzhen: Abolfazl Zamani believes Islamic Republic of Iran can win the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 title following their commanding 6-0 victory over Yemen in Group C on Sunday.

The Esteghlal FC midfielder, who starred with a brace, believes that the four-time winners can end their wait in Shenzhen, with the last of their four titles won in 1976.

Jordan make Meindertsma a happy coach

Sun, 16 Feb, 2025

Jordan make Meindertsma a happy coach

Shenzhen: Jordan head coach Pieter Meindertsma was on the edge of his seat as his side carved out a tense 2-1 win over a determined DPR Korea in their AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group B match on Sunday.

Ibrahim Sabra scored in the sixth and 70th minutes to give the West Asians control, but DPR Korea reduced the deficit with an 83rd minute penalty to make it a nervous finish for Meindertsma.

Mohammed: Victory was Iraq’s responsibility

Mon, 17 Feb, 2025

Mohammed: Victory was Iraq’s responsibility

Shenzhen: Iraq head coach Emad Mohammed applauded his players for their sense of responsibility after the 1-0 win over Saudi Arabia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 on Sunday.

A first-half strike by Amoori Faisal was enough to give Iraq a much needed three points, and the five-time champions will now look to book their berth in the knockout stage when they play Jordan in their last Group B match on Wednesday.