Talay: Return to basics powered Sydney past Jeonbuk

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

Talay: Return to basics powered Sydney past Jeonbuk

Sydney: Head coach Ufuk Talay credited Sydney FC’s mentality shift for their amazing comeback against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 quarter-final second leg on Thursday.

Jeonbuk had drawn level on aggregate after a scintillating first saw the Korea Republic side take a 2-0 lead, only for Sydney to do the same after the break as the Australian side won 3-2 on the night and 5-2 on aggregate to set up a semi-final against Singapore’s Lion City Sailors in April.

Alex Grant, Patryk Klimala and Douglas Costa scored to wipe out Jeon Jin-woo’s brace with Talay effusive in his praise.  

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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.

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. 

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.

#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 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.

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.