Europe Wrap: Taremi winner for Porto; Oda nets in Hearts victory

Tue, 19 Sep, 2023

Europe Wrap: Taremi winner for Porto; Oda nets in Hearts victory

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran striker Mehdi Taremi opened his account for the new Primeira Liga season in Portugal as his first-half strike proved enough for FC Porto to edge Estrela da Amadora 1-0 and maintain their unbeaten start to their new campaign. 

In Scotland, Japan U-23 winger Yutaro Oda scored his second goal of the season in Hearts’ 2-0 win against Aberdeen while his compatriot and Samurai Blue striker Kyogo Furuhashi bagged a goal and an assist to send defending champions Celtic two points clear at the top following a 3-0 win over Dundee. 
 
Ange Postecolgou’s Tottenham Hotspur posted a thrilling win in England, Japanese duo Daiki Hashioka and Ryotaro Ito scored for Sint-Truiden in Belgium and India’s Manisha Kalyan netted in Apollon’s Super Cup triumph in Cyprus, so join the-AFC.com as we find out how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week. 

Preview - Group A: Ahal FC (TKM) v Al Fayha (KSA)

Wed, 20 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group A: Ahal FC (TKM) v Al Fayha (KSA)

Ashgabat: It will be a face-off between a team appearing in the AFC Champions League™ group stage for only a second time against a side making their debut when Turkmenistan's Ahal FC host Al Fayha of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.

With Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor and Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates completing Group A, both teams know a winning start is a must if they are to challenge for a place in the knockout stage.

Preview - Group A: Pakhtakor FC (UZB) v Al Ain FC (UAE)

Tue, 19 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group A: Pakhtakor FC (UZB) v Al Ain FC (UAE)

Tashkent: Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor FC and Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates know there will be no room for error when they face off in their opening AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group A encounter on Tuesday.

Pakhtakor are determined to redeem themselves after suffering an early exit last season while Al Ain are making a return to the group stage for the first time since 2020.

Preview - Group E: Persepolis FC (IRN) v Al Nassr (KSA)

Wed, 20 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group E: Persepolis FC (IRN) v Al Nassr (KSA)

Tehran: It promises to be a blockbuster when Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis FC play Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia in Group E of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday. 

Both teams will be targeting the title, with Persepolis having finished runners-up in 2018 and 2020 while Al Nassr suffered semi-final heartache in the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Preview - Group E: FC Istiklol (TJK) v Al Duhail SC (QAT)

Wed, 20 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group E: FC Istiklol (TJK) v Al Duhail SC (QAT)

Dushanbe: FC Istiklol will have to be at their best to stop Al Duhail SC in their opening AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group E match.

It will be a meeting between the domestic champions of Tajikistan and Qatar with both knowing a win is important if they are to challenge Group E's others teams - Persepolis FC of Islamic Republic of Iran and Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr.

Preview - Group G: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Incheon United (KOR)

Tue, 19 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group G: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Incheon United (KOR)

Yokohama: Yokohama F. Marinos will leave no stone unturned in their bid to kick off their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 challenge with a win on Tuesday.

The Japanese champions face debutants Incheon United of Korea Republic in Group G with head coach Kevin Muscat determined to steer his side into uncharted AFC Champions League territory for them.

Preview - Group G: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI) v Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)

Tue, 19 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group G: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI) v Shandong Taishan FC (CHN)

Manila: Kaya FC Iloilo and Shandong Taishan FC will be aiming for a winning start when they meet in Group G of the AFC Champions™ League 2023/24 on Tuesday.

Kaya FC are appearing in the tournament for just the second time, having made their group stage debut in 2021 while it will be Shandong's 11th campaign.

Preview - Group I: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Tue, 19 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group I: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Johor Bahru: It will be a meeting between familiar foes when Johor Darul Ta'zim host Kawasaki Frontale in Group I of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday.

The Malaysian champions advanced to the knockout stage for the first time last season with Japan's Frontale among their victims in that historic campaign.

Preview - Group I: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) v BG Pathum United (THA)

Tue, 19 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group I: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) v BG Pathum United (THA)

Ulsan: Ulsan Hyundai FC will not take BG Pathum United lightly when the two face off in their opening AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group I tie on Tuesday.

Two-time AFC Champions League winners Ulsan, despite sitting at the top of the 2023 K1 League, have been a pale shadow of themselves in recent weeks and Thailand's BG Pathum United will be looking to capitalise.