Shootout win takes Al Taawoun into semis

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Shootout win takes Al Taawoun into semis

Buraidah: Al Taawoun FC booked their spot in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 after a 4-2 penalty shootout win against Tractor FC at Wolves Park on Tuesday.

The tie ended 2-2 on the night and on aggregate with Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun proving sharper in the shootout.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3075085

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3075087

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3075089

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3075091

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3075272

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3075274

QF - Preview (2nd Leg): Sharjah FC (UAE) 1 v 1 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

QF - Preview (2nd Leg): Sharjah FC (UAE) 1 v 1 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Sharjah: Sharjah FC will consider themselves favourites when they welcome UAE rivals Shabab Al Ahli for the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-final on Wednesday.

Caio Lucas' strike ensure Sharjah walked away from the first leg on level terms and will - with home ground advantage - look to secure a semi-final spot.

QF - Preview (2nd Leg): Lion City Sailors (SGP) 3 v 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

QF - Preview (2nd Leg): Lion City Sailors (SGP) 3 v 0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Singapore: A highly-charged affair can be expected when Lion City Sailors and Sanfrecce Hiroshima square off in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-final on Wednesday.

Japan's Sanfrecce 6-1 first leg win was forfeited after the Japanese side fielded an ineligible player, with Singapore's Lion City Sailors being awarded the tie 3-0.

Al Hilal waltz into quarter-finals

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Al Hilal waltz into quarter-finals

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC turned on the power to advance into the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals after defeating Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor 4-0 at the Kingdom Arena on Tuesday.

It was a magnificent performance from Al Hilal as they easily overcame the 1-0 first leg deficit to stay on track for a fifth Asian title. 

Mahrez completes job for impressive Al Ahli

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Mahrez completes job for impressive Al Ahli

Jeddah: A brace from Riyad Mahrez secured Al Ahli Saudi FC a 2-0 win against Al Rayyan SC on Tuesday as they advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 with a 5-1 aggregate win.

Al Ahli were dominant for large parts of the match but had to withstand some Al Rayyan pressure at the start of the second half before Mahrez scored his seventh and eighth goals of the competition to take his side through.

Buriram continue journey at JDT’s expense

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Buriram continue journey at JDT’s expense

Johor Bahru: Buriram United sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 after sealing a hard fought 1-0 win against Johor Darul Ta’zim on Tuesday.

Suphanat Mueanta struck the winner in the 58th minute to take the Thai champions through with their quarter-final opponents to be known in Monday’s draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

Marinos advance in style

Mon, 17 Mar, 2025

Marinos advance in style

Yokohama: Yokohama F Marinos cruised through to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday as Steve Holland’s side handed Shanghai Port a 4-1 defeat at International Stadium to complete a 5-1 aggregate win over the Chinese Super League outfit.

Daiya Tono built on the home side’s 1-0 win from the first leg with the opener in the second minute before Anderson Lopes scored the first of his two goals on the evening in the 29th minute.

And while Leonardo gave Shanghai Port hope with a close range finish in the 35th minute, Yan Matheus hit the third just before half time and Lopes scored his second 11 minutes after the interval to put the seal on a comprehensive victory.

Preview - R16 (2nd Leg): Gwangju FC (KOR) 0 v 2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Preview - R16 (2nd Leg): Gwangju FC (KOR) 0 v 2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Gwangju: Gwangju FC will hope to get it right at the third time of trying when they host Vissel Kobe in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 Round of 16 encounter on Wednesday.

Gwangju lost both of their meetings with Japan's Vissel this season but will have home ground advantage for the first time in a tie that will decide if their inaugural journey in the AFC Champions League Elite will continue into the quarter-finals.

Preview - R16 (2nd Leg): Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 0 v 1 Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Preview - R16 (2nd Leg): Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 0 v 1 Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)

Kawasaki: Shanghai Shenhua will be seeking a third consecutive victory when they travel to face Kawasaki Frontale in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 Round of 16 encounter on Wednesday.

China PR's Shenhua defeated Japan's Frontale 2-0 in the League Stage and followed that up with a 1-0 win in last week's Round of 16 first leg.

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.

#ChallengeLeague - Preview: Quarter-finals (2nd Leg)

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

#ChallengeLeague - Preview: Quarter-finals (2nd Leg)

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 contenders will be narrowed down to four teams with the second leg of the quarter-finals to be played on Wednesday and Thursday.

FC Arkadag, Al Arabi SC and Preah Reach Khan Svay Rieng FC hold the advantage in their respective ties while Madura United and Tainan City FC have it all to play for in their return encounter.