R16: Mailson’s heroics win it for Al Taawoun

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

R16: Mailson’s heroics win it for Al Taawoun

Buraidah: Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun FC survived going down to 10 men as they came from behind to defeat Al Wakrah SC of Qatar 4-3 on penalties to advance to the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Mailson saved two spot-kicks after the tie ended 2-2 on the night and 4-4 on aggregate as Al Taawoun set up a quarter-final with Islamic Republic of Iran’s Tractor FC.

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R16: Late resurgence takes Shabab Al Ahli through

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

R16: Late resurgence takes Shabab Al Ahli through

Dubai: Shabab Al Ahli booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 on Wednesday as Paulo Sousa’s side survived a second half fightback by Al Wehdat to win 4-3 in Dubai to complete a 6-3 aggregate victory over the Jordanians.

Sardar Azmoun scored twice and also missed a penalty in a dramatic clash at Rashid Stadium as the club from the United Arab Emirates saw their 2-0 advantage from the first leg evaporate over three second minutes before a late resurgence took them through.

R16: Sydney fight back to upstage Bangkok

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

R16: Sydney fight back to upstage Bangkok

Pathum Thani: A Douglas Costa special in extra time took Sydney FC past Bangkok United with a 3-2 win in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 second leg tie to advance to the quarter-finals with a 5-4 aggregate score.

Sydney’s opponents in the last eight will be the winners of the tie between Thailand’s Port FC and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC of Korea Republic that will be played on Thursday.

R16: Sanfrecce power into q-finals

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

R16: Sanfrecce power into q-finals

Hiroshima: Sanfrecce Hiroshima cruised into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 after defeating Vietnam's Nam Dinh FC 4-0 in their Round of 16 second leg tie at the Hiroshima Soccer Stadium on Wednesday.

The Japanese side advanced 7-0 on aggregate,  with their opponents in the last eight stage to be either Thailand's Muangthong United FC or Lion City Sailors of Singapore.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) 3 v 2 Muangthong United (THA)

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) 3 v 2 Muangthong United (THA)

Singapore: Muangthong United will believe they can complete the comeback when they travel to face Lion City Sailors in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 tie on Thursday.

The Thai side looked to be down and out after trailing 3-0 just 27 minutes into the first leg but then capitalised on their numerical advantage when Singapore's Lion City Sailors were reduced to 10 men to pull two goals back.

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 4 v 0 Port FC (THA)

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Preview - R16, 2nd Leg: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 4 v 0 Port FC (THA)

Jeonju: A miracle comeback is unlikely for Port FC when they travel to face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 last 16 tie on Thursday.

At stake for the winners is a quarter-final against either Australia's Sydney FC or Bangkok United of Thailand.

We showed our quality, says Sharjah's Olaroiu

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

We showed our quality, says Sharjah's Olaroiu

Sharjah: Cosmin Olaroiu praised the focus and determination of his players after Sharjah FC defeated Al Hussein on penalties to advance to the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-finals on Tuesday.

UAE's Sharjah, having won the first leg 1-0, started as favourites on home ground but were undone by Mahmoud Al Mardi's goal as the tie went into a shootout at the end of 120 minutes.

Olaroiu, however, believed Sharjah came to the fore when it mattered the most.

MD8: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) 0-2 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

MD8: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) 0-2 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Shanghai: Yokohama F. Marinos closed out the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 with a 2-0 win over Chinese Super League side Shanghai Port at Pudong Stadium on Wednesday as new head coach Steve Holland notched up a second win in a row in the competition.

Goals from Asahi Uenaka and Jun Amano in the 64th and 69th minutes respectively sealed victory for the J1 League side although Shanghai Port will still progress to the last 16 as a result of the withdrawal of Shandong Taishan from the competition earlier in the day.

The win was the seventh in the competition for the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 runners-up, who will go into the next phase of the competition buoyed by their impressive form since Holland arrived to replace interim boss John Hutchison during the close season.

Loss wants Buriram to dream of glory

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Loss wants Buriram to dream of glory

Gwangju: Head coach Osmar Loss has dared his Buriram United to dream big after they booked a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage on Tuesday. 

Despite having to settle for a draw after giving up a two-goal advantage to Korea Republic’s Gwangju FC, the point was enough for the Thai side to advance with their last 16 opponents to be decided when the East Zone’s League Stage concludes on Wednesday.

Johor Darul Tazim live up to Bidoglio’s expectations

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Johor Darul Tazim live up to Bidoglio’s expectations

Johor Bahru: Head coach Hector Bidoglio was over the moon after his Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) side showed their immense quality to book their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 spot with a 5-2 defeat of FC Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic on Tuesday. 

The Malaysian champions roared back in style after going behind to Lee Ho-jae’s opener, with five players finding the net in what ultimately was an emphatic win at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, with JDT finishing fourth in the East Zone standings on 14 points.

Up next for them will be another Korea Republic side - Gwangju FC - with JDT having the advantage of playing the return leg at home.