Second half surge keeps Sydney on course

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Second half surge keeps Sydney on course

Sydney: Douglas Costa inspired Sydney FC to a second-half comeback over Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 on Thursday as Ufuk Talay’s side registered a 3-2 victory at the Sydney Football Stadium to seal a 5-2 aggregate win.

Jeon Jin-woo scored twice in the first half for the K-League side to level the overall score following Sydney’s 2-0 win in the first leg, but goals from Alex Grant, Patryk Klimala and Costa ensure the A-League side will face Lion City Sailors in the semi-finals.

It was Costa, the former Bayern Munich and Juventus winger, who was instrumental in all three of Sydney’s goals as Talay’s team launched a remarkable turnaround in the final 31 minutes against a Jeonbuk side that looked increasingly likely to progress.

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Olaroiu hails Sharjah’s desire and determination

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Olaroiu hails Sharjah’s desire and determination

Sharjah: Head coach Cosmin Olaroiu was unreserved in his praise for his players after Sharjah triumphed on penalties against Shabab Al Ahli in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-final on Wednesday.

The marathon match went all the way after the return leg ended 1-1 and 2-2 on aggregate, with Marcos Meloni putting Sharjah ahead before Mu’nas Dabbur’s stoppage time header took the tie into extra time and subsequently, penalties.

Lion City have put Singapore on the map, says Rankovic

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Lion City have put Singapore on the map, says Rankovic

Singapore: Aleksandar Rankovic expressed pride after Lion City Sailors became the first Singapore side to secure a place in the AFC Champions League Two™ semi-finals following a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday.

Holding a 3-0 lead from the first leg, Lion City weathered a strong challenge from the Japanese side to secure a 4-1 aggregate victory to set up a meeting with either Australia’s Sydney FC or Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC in the semi-finals. 

#ACLElite draw to reveal epic Finals showdowns

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

#ACLElite draw to reveal epic Finals showdowns

Kuala Lumpur: The remaining contenders for the Continent’s ultimate club prize will discover their last-eight fate on Monday, March 17 at 3pm at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

The draw for the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 will chart the path from the Quarter Finals to the showpiece Final, with all seven highly-anticipated battles to take place in a unique centralised format between April 25 and May 3 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Asani: Strong mindset took Gwangju to victory

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Asani: Strong mindset took Gwangju to victory

Gwangju: A delighted Jasir Asani praised Gwangju FC’s perseverance after the Korea Republic side defeated Japan’s Vissel Kobe to advance to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, the Albanian forward admitted that tournament debutants were under pressure but their focused mindset saw them achieving a remarkable 3-0 win, with Asani scoring twice - including a stunning winning goal deep into extra time. 

Hasebe proud as Frontale’s quality comes to the fore

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Hasebe proud as Frontale’s quality comes to the fore

Kawasaki: Head coach Higetoshi Hasebe applauded Kawasaki Frontale’s perfect performance after the Japanese side overwhelmed Shanghai Shenhua 4-0 at Todoroki Stadium to overturn a first-leg deficit and secure a place in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals.

Trailing 1-0 after the first leg, Frontale responded with a dominant display as goals from Asahi Sasaki, Erison, Tatsuya Ito and Marcinho sealed an emphatic win on Wednesday.

Al Arabi hold firm to deny Al Seeb

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Al Arabi hold firm to deny Al Seeb

Seeb: Al Arabi SC showed determination to hold Al Seeb Club to a 2-2 stalemate after extra time on Wednesday to clinch their AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 semi-final spot with a 3-2 aggregate win.

The Kuwaiti club had to show plenty of defensive resilience to fend off the Omani side’s pressure before Sofiane Bouchar struck in extra time to set up a semi-final meeting with Turkmenistan’s FC Arkadag.

Arkadag fight back to end East Bengal's dream

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Arkadag fight back to end East Bengal's dream

Arkadag: FC Arkadag came from behind to beat East Bengal 2-1 in their AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 quarter-final second leg to advance to the semi-finals with a 3-1 aggregate win on Wednesday.

Messi Bouli drew East Bengal level on aggregate in the first minute before Lalchungnunga was sent off midway through the first half with Altymyrat Annadurdyyez then settling the tie with two late goals.