Group E - MD4: Sydney FC (AUS) 0-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Fri, 08 Nov, 2024

Group E - MD4: Sydney FC (AUS) 0-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Sydney: Sanfrecce Hiroshima secured their place in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 on Thursday as Michael Skibbe’s side handed Sydney FC a 1-0  defeat at the Jubilee Stadium to seal qualification from Group E.

Substitute Mutsuki Kato headed home the only goal of an enthralling game in the 60th minute to keep the J1 League side perfect after four rounds while Sydney remain on six points with two rounds of matches remaining.

The win means Hiroshima cannot finish outside the top two places in the group and the Japanese club will take their place in December’s draw for the last 16.

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Group H - MD4: Dynamic Herb Cebu FC (PHI) 2-9 Muangthong United FC (THA)

Fri, 08 Nov, 2024

Group H - MD4: Dynamic Herb Cebu FC (PHI) 2-9 Muangthong United FC (THA)

Manila: Poramet Arjvirai scored a hat-trick as Muangthong United handed Dynamic Herb Cebu a crushing 9-2 defeat on Thursday to keep the Thai side’s hopes of progressing to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 from Group H.

Gino Lettieri’s side move onto five points from four games to close the gap on Selangor and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the top of the standings having seen off a spirited fightback by the hosts in Manila.

Felicio Brown Forbes and Poramet struck in the seventh and 13th minutes respectively to put Muangthong in front but two goals in three minutes from Guytho Mijland levelled the scores.

However, another goal from Forbes as well as a brace from Kakana Khamyok, two more for Poramet plus efforts from Purchet Thodsanit and Songwut Kraikruan saw the Thai League 1 outfit cruise to victory.

Group H - MD4: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 1-0 Selangor FC (MAS)

Fri, 08 Nov, 2024

Group H - MD4: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 1-0 Selangor FC (MAS)

Jeonju: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC defeated Selangor FC 1-0 to surge to the top of Group H of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 on Thursday.

The win took the Korea Republic side to nine points, two ahead of the Malaysian side with both teams on course for a place in the Round of 16.

Groups finalised for China 2025

Thu, 07 Nov, 2024

Groups finalised for China 2025

Shenzhen: The AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 is primed for thrilling action following the conclusion of the official draw at Grand Skylight International Guanlan in Shenzhen, China PR on Thursday.

The 16 teams were drawn into four groups with not just continental glory at stake but also four tickets to the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 in Chile.

Marinos living up to Hutchinson’s expectations

Thu, 07 Nov, 2024

Marinos living up to Hutchinson’s expectations

Yokohama: Head coach John Hutchinson was a proud man after his Yokohama F. Marinos side lived up to their billing in securing a 5-0 win against Buriram United in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 match on Wednesday.

The Australian was particularly pleased with the dominance his charges showed in a performance that ticked all the boxes as Marinos climbed up to third in the standings on seven points.

Park pleased with Pohang revival

Thu, 07 Nov, 2024

Park pleased with Pohang revival

Pohang: Head coach Park Tae-ha praised his team’s strong performance after Pohang Steelers reignited their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 hopes with a 4-2 win over Shandong Taishan at the Steelyard on Wednesday. 

Park, however, acknowledged there are still areas for improvement.

Al Ain part ways with Crespo

Thu, 07 Nov, 2024

Al Ain part ways with Crespo

Kuala Lumpur: Al Ain FC have parted ways with head coach Hernan Crespo, the two-time AFC Champions League™ winners announced on Wednesday.

Crespo leaves the club less than a year after taking charge, having led UAE's Al Ain to the AFC Champions League 2023/24 title in May.

Pioli revels in Al Nassr's dominant display over Al Ain

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Pioli revels in Al Nassr's dominant display over Al Ain

Riyadh: Head coach Stefano Pioli expressed satisfaction with Al Nassr Club’s continued improvement following their commanding 5-1 win over Al Ain FC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Pioli’s charges raced to a 3-0 first half lead which paved the way for the Saudi Arabia side to claim a third win and third place in the standings.

Ali eyes resurgence as Al Rayyan end barren run

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Ali eyes resurgence as Al Rayyan end barren run

Tashkent: Al Rayyan SC finally secured their first AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 victory following a 1-0 win over Pakhtakor on Tuesday with head coach Younes Ali highlighting his side’s resilience for the triumph.

Having weathered heavy pressure in the first half, Ali oversaw a reversal in the second half with Hazem Shehata bagging the winner in the 51st minute to end Al Rayyan’s three-match losing run and revive their progression chances as the Qatari side moved into the knockout stage spots with four matches to go.

Kobe’s tenacity pleases Yoshida; Gwangju’s Lee accepts defeat

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Kobe’s tenacity pleases Yoshida; Gwangju’s Lee accepts defeat

Kobe: Vissel Kobe head coach Tadayuki Yoshida commended his team’s defensive discipline after their 2-0 victory over Gwangju FC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/25 tie on Tuesday.

The result lifted the Japanese champions to the top of the East Zone standings with four rounds lo play.

Relief for Frontale’s Oniki; Port’s Muscat disappointed with first half showing

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Relief for Frontale’s Oniki; Port’s Muscat disappointed with first half showing

Kawasaki: Head coach Toru Oniki was delighted to come through a difficult period with some positives after his Kawasaki Frontale side claimed a 3-1 win against Shanghai Port FC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Since announcing that he will step down from the role at the end of the season, Oniki has seen his side fail to win in their last three matches in all competitions but the shackles were well and truly off against the newly-crowned Chinese Super League champions.

Bidoglio: JDT's philosophy delivered win

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Bidoglio: JDT's philosophy delivered win

Johor Bahru: Hector Bidoglio was proud that the Johor Darul Ta'zim philosophy was on full display in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 win over Ulsan HD on Tuesday.

Goals from Arif Aiman, Oscar Arribas and Bergson saw the Malaysian side defeating Ulsan HD for the third season running at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium as they stayed well on course for a knockout stage spot.

Our best performance, says Mariners' Jackson

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Our best performance, says Mariners' Jackson

Gosford: Mark Jackson was effusive in his praise after Central Coast Mariners fought back from two goals down to earn the first point of their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 campaign on Tuesday.

Trailing 2-0 to China PR's Shanghai Shenhua after goals from Andre Luis and Yu Hanchao, the Australian side reduced the deficit through Sabit Ngor with 15 minutes on the clock with Bailey Brandtman scoring deep into injury time to end Mariners' three-match losing run.