Al Tamari joins Furuhashi at Rennes; Dabbagh inks deal with Aberdeen

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Al Tamari joins Furuhashi at Rennes; Dabbagh inks deal with Aberdeen

Kuala Lumpur: Mousa Al Tamari completed a transfer from Montpellier to Rennes on Monday,  as Europe's transfer window closed.

Al Tamari was among several Asian stars completing last-minute moves with the Jordan star forward being Rennes' sixth signing of the window.

Europe Wrap: Son, Maeda shine for Spurs, Celtic

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Europe Wrap: Son, Maeda shine for Spurs, Celtic

Kuala Lumpur: Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min and Celtic’s Daizen Maeda took the spotlight as both played major parts in helping their clubs to victory in the English Premier League and Scottish Premiership respectively. 

Australia’s Nectarios Triantis, Uzbekistan’s international captain Eldor Shomurodov and Japanese Under-19 international Kento Shiogai also helped themselves to goals across the continent.
 
Follow the-AFC.com as we look at what the Asian contingent has been up to in Europe this past week.

Pioli praises Al Nassr’s depth; Milojevic rues Al Wasl’s missed chances

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Pioli praises Al Nassr’s depth; Milojevic rues Al Wasl’s missed chances

Riyadh: Head coach Stefano Pioli applauded Al Nassr Club’s performance in their emphatic 4-0 win over Al Wasl of UAE in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 at Al Awwal Park on Monday.

Ali Alhassan opened the scoring for the Saudi Pro League side with a spectacular strike before Cristiano Ronaldo, who celebrates his 40th birthday on Wednesday, netted a double with substitute Mohammed Al Fatil adding the fourth late in the game.

Jaissle hails Al Ahli’s tactical brilliance; Al Sadd’s Sanchez left searching for answers

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Jaissle hails Al Ahli’s tactical brilliance; Al Sadd’s Sanchez left searching for answers

Doha: Al Ahli Saudi showcased their title ambitions with a resounding 3-1 victory over Qatar’s Al Sadd in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Monday, leaving head coach Matthias Jaissle purring.

Despite falling behind to an Akram Afif lob early in the game, Al Ahli responded in style - drawing level through Roberto Firmino’s overhead kick before goals from Roger Ibanez and Riyad Mahrez ensured the Saudi Pro League side maintained their unbeaten run.

Esteghal’s Bakhtiarizadeh, Al Shorta’s Alwan satisfied despite stalemate

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Esteghal’s Bakhtiarizadeh, Al Shorta’s Alwan satisfied despite stalemate

Tehran: It was a result which neither desired but Esteghal head coach Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh and his Al Shorta counterpart Salah Alwan didn’t have too many complaints after their sides settled for a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Monday.

The draw left both in danger of missing out on the knockout stage, with Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal on six points with a match remaining while Al Shorta of Iraq only have three on the board. 

Jorge delighted as Al Rayyan stay in the hunt

Tue, 04 Feb, 2025

Jorge delighted as Al Rayyan stay in the hunt

Al Ain: Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC took a huge step towards the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage after an inspired second half performance saw them oust Al Ain FC 2-1 on Monday.

The win took Al Rayyan up to eight points with head coach Artur Jorge impressed by the recovery shown by his side as he eyes a spot in the last 16.

Preview - MD7: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Persepolis FC (IRN)

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Persepolis FC (IRN)

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC will expect another three points when they play Persepolis FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Chasing a fifth continental title, Al Hilal SFC booked their Round of 16 spot with three matches to spare and will aim to finish as the League Stage winners.

Preview - MD7: Al Gharafa (QAT) v Pakhtakor (UZB)

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

Preview - MD7: Al Gharafa (QAT) v Pakhtakor (UZB)

Al Rayyan: Expect a no-holds barred clash when Al Gharafa and Pakhtakor square off in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Tied on four points and just outside the knockout stage qualifying spots, both need victory if they are to keep their hopes alive.

#ACLElite Fantasy Football: Matchday 7 tips and tricks

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

#ACLElite Fantasy Football: Matchday 7 tips and tricks

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Group Stage is nearing its finale with Matchday 7 kicking off on Monday in the West before crossing over to the East on February 11.  

With 11 knockout round qualification spots still up for grabs and only one of the 24 sides already eliminated, brace yourselves for an exhilarating couple of weeks.  
 
Meanwhile, if you're a Fantasy manager and need some help on who to bring into your starting line-up ahead of Matchday 7, read on to find out! 
 
But before we get to the tips and tricks, for those who haven’t joined yet, we have a Redemption League for you to take part in where you can compete with new users and win prizes!  
 
https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite/fantasy.html?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=topMenuBar&utm_campaign=aclefantasy&utm_content=ENG 

Entries for AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers confirmed

Wed, 05 Feb, 2025

Entries for AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Qualifiers confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: The race to qualify for the next edition of Asia’s most prestigious women’s national team football competition marked its latest milestone today with 37 Member Associations (MAs) confirming their interest to compete in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™.

The Participating MAs will be aiming to clinch the eight available berths to join hosts Australia and the top three sides from the AFC Women’s Asian Cup India 2022™ – defending champions China PR, runners-up Korea Republic and third-placed Japan – at the 2026 Continental showpiece, which will be held from March 1 to 21, 2026.