Lion City fend off Sanfrecce to seal semi-final spot

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Lion City fend off Sanfrecce to seal semi-final spot

Singapore: Lion City Sailors marched into the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 after an engrossing 1-1 draw with Sanfrecce Hiroshima at Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday.

Japan's Sanfrecce, who came into the match having to overturn a 3-0 deficit, put on a strong showing but were unable to prevent the hosts walking away with a 4-1 win on aggregate.

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Al Abdali hails Al Taawoun’s resilience

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Al Abdali hails Al Taawoun’s resilience

Buraidah: A dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout win against Tractor FC leaves Al Taawoun FC only two steps away from being crowned AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 winners, much to the delight of head coach Mohammed Al Abdali.

Injuries and suspension made things difficult for Al Abdali in preparation for the second leg at Wolves Park with the 51-year-old applauding his players’ incredible fitness after penalty misses from Tractor’s Mehdi Shiri and Sajjad Ashourimeidani sealed their semi-final spot.

QF - Preview (2nd Leg): Sydney FC (AUS) 2 v 0 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

QF - Preview (2nd Leg): Sydney FC (AUS) 2 v 0 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)

Sydney: Sydney FC will be determined to not slip up when they host Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-final on Thursday.

Patryk Klimala's brace secured Sydney a valuable 2-0 lead in the first leg but the Australian side know Jeonbuk will come at them with guns blazing.

Asani the star as Gwangju book ticket in stunning fashion

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Asani the star as Gwangju book ticket in stunning fashion

Gwangju: The sensational Jasir Asani scored twice as Gwangju FC advanced to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals with a 3-0 win over Vissel Kobe in extra time on Wednesday.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, goals from Park Jeong-in and Asani forced the quarter-final with the Albanian then sealing the comeback win with a stunning strike just before the final whistle. 

Frontale roar into quarters

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Frontale roar into quarters

Kawasaki: Kawasaki Frontale handed Shanghai Shenhua a 4-0 defeat at Todoroki Stadium on Wednesday to overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit and secure a place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 in emphatic fashion.

Goals from Asahi Sasaki, Erison, Tatsuya Ito, Marcinho sealed a comprehensive win for Shigetoshi Hasebe’s side as they completed a 4-1 aggregate victory that takes the J1 League outfit into the next round in Saudi Arabia in April.

We could have done better, says Buriram's Loss

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

We could have done better, says Buriram's Loss

Johor Bahru: Osmar Loss believes there is more to come from his Buriram United side after they sealed their spot in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 quarter-finals with a 1-0 win against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) on Tuesday.

Suphanat Mueanta's 58th minute strike secured Thailand's Buriram a 1-0 win on the night and on aggregate as they sealed a return to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2013.

Lopes: Title in Marinos’ reach

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Lopes: Title in Marinos’ reach

Yokohama: Anderson Lopes expressed confidence about Yokohama F. Marinos’ title chances after his brace powered the Japanese side to a commanding 4-1 victory over Shanghai Port on Tuesday, securing a 5-1 aggregate win and a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals.

The 2023-2024 runners-up took a 3-1 lead going into the break with Lopes saying their ability to finish their chances proved to be the difference. 

Al Hilal’s Jesus craving for glory

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Al Hilal’s Jesus craving for glory

Riyadh: The dream to lift aloft the AFC Champions League Elite™ trophy is providing the motivation for head coach Jorge Jesus to keep pushing his Al Hilal SFC side after they recovered from a first leg defeat to advance into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate against Pakhtakor on Tuesday.

Despite an unbeaten league-winning 2023/24 season, the semi-final exit to Al Ain FC in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 is a disappointment Jesus is determined to erase as he looks to add Asian continental success to his Copa Libertadores triumph with Flamengo in 2019.

Jaissle, Mahrez confident of Al Ahli's chances

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Jaissle, Mahrez confident of Al Ahli's chances

Jeddah: Head coach Matthias Jaissle and star forward Riyad Mahrez are confident Al Ahli Saudi FC can go all the way in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 after completing a 5-1 aggregate win over Al Rayyan SC to clinch their place in the quarter-finals.

Al Ahli continue to be the most in-form team in the competition with Tuesday’s win in front of approximately 45,000 fans at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium being their ninth victory in 10 matches.

Duran: Al Nassr can only get better

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Duran: Al Nassr can only get better

Riyadh: Jhon Duran is determined to play his part in taking Al Nassr Club all the way after the Colombian starred with two goals in their 3-1 win against Esteghal FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 on Monday.

Held to a goalless draw in last week’s first leg, Duran netted the first and third goals with Cristiano Ronaldo converting a penalty as Al Nassr matched last season’s feat of qualifying for the quarter-finals. 

It was a thoroughly convincing performance and Duran warned that Al Nassr will be a force in the quarter-finals. 

We were excellent, says Al Sadd’s Sanchez

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

We were excellent, says Al Sadd’s Sanchez

Doha: Felix Sanchez was a delighted head coach after his Al Sadd SC side showed their true colours to come from behind to defeat Al Wasl FC 3-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate to take their place in Monday’s AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-final draw.

Apart from the opening 10 minutes when they  were put under tremendous pressure by the UAE side, Akram Aff-led Al Sadd produced a dominant performance with Sanchez now eyeing an extended run in the competition.