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R16 (2nd Leg): Resilient Gamba overcome stubborn Pohang

Thu, 19 Feb, 2026

R16 (2nd Leg): Resilient Gamba overcome stubborn Pohang

Suita: Gamba Osaka strode into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ with a well-deserved 2-1 win over FC Pohang Steelers in the second leg of their Round of 16 clash at the Suita City Football Stadium on Thursday.

First half goals by Deniz Hummet and Ryoya Yamashita gave the Japanese side a 3-2 aggregate win, with Jens Wissing’s side to face Thai League 1 side Ratchaburi FC in the quarter-finals.

Munoz hails JDT’s character

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Munoz hails JDT’s character

Iskandar Puteri: Johor Darul Ta’zim head coach Xisco Munoz praised his players for continuing to believe in the hard-fought 1-0 win over Vissel Kobe on Tuesday which secured a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ for the Malaysian side.

Marcos Guilherme’s 73rd-minute strike proved decisive as JDT advanced from the League Stage for the second successive season.

FC Seoul frustrate Kim; Gaul delighted with Hiroshima fightback

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

FC Seoul frustrate Kim; Gaul delighted with Hiroshima fightback

Seoul: Head coach Kim Gi-dong did not hide his frustration after FC Seoul surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/25™ concluding League Stage tie on Tuesday. 

The result left Seoul seventh in the standings but staring at elimination as their continental fate depends on Wednesday’s remaining two East Zone League Stage matches. 

Machida’s Yengi revels in first start

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Machida’s Yengi revels in first start

Machida: Tete Yengi was delighted with his first start for FC Machida Zelvia after grabbing a brace in the 3-2 win against China PR’s Chengdu Rongcheng FC on Tuesday to fire the Japanese side to a top place finish in the East Zone of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ league phase.

Having joined the team in January on loan from Scottish Premiership side Livingston, the 25-year-old forward had only made two substitute appearances prior to the match against Chengdu and rewarded Go Kuroda’s faith with a pair of headers.

MD8: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 1-0 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

MD8: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 1-0 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Iskandar Puteri: Marcos Guilherme hit the only goal of the game as Johor Darul Ta’zim booked their place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Tuesday with a 1-0 win over J1 League outfit Vissel Kobe at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium.

The Brazilian netted with 17 minutes remaining to earn Xisco Munez’s side a win against a Kobe side that has already qualified for the next phase and the result moves the Malaysian club onto 11 points from their eight league matches.

The result means JDT, who also featured in the Round of 16 last season, can finish no lower than eighth in the standings ahead of Wednesday’s remaining games in the East Zone's League Stage.

MD8: FC Seoul (KOR) 2-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

MD8: FC Seoul (KOR) 2-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Seoul: Late goals from Ryo Germain and Kosuke Kinoshita saw Sanfrecce Hiroshima come back from two down to earn a 2-2 draw with FC Seoul on Tuesday that leaves the K League 1 side’s hopes of reaching the last 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26Ω™ in the balance.

A 10th minute Patryk Klimala penalty and Naoyo Arai’s own goal 17 minutes later had given the hosts a two-goal lead at Mokdong Stadium but Germain and Kinoshita both netted in stoppage time to salvage a point for the visitors and complicate the picture for FC Seoul.
 
That means already-qualified Hiroshima finish on 15 points while FC Seoul move onto 10 points from their eight matches and leaves Kim Gi-dong’s side sweating on the outcome of the remaining games in the East Zone's League Stage.

MD8: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) 3-2 Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN)

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

MD8: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) 3-2 Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN)

Machida: Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia closed their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ campaign with an easy 3-2 win over Chengdu Rongcheng FC at the Machida Stadium on Tuesday.

The win moved Go Kuroda’s side to 17 points with the possibility of topping the East Zone standings while Chengdu’s hopes of progressing came to an end, with the China PR side ending their campaign in 10th position. 

Europe Wrap: Scoring week for Asian stars

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Europe Wrap: Scoring week for Asian stars

Kuala Lumpur: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Allahyar Sayyad, Jordan’s Mousa Al Tamari, Syria’s Aiham Ousou and Japan’s Atsuki Ito all found the back of the net across Europe this past week.

Japan international Wataru Endo made his first league start of the season for Liverpool in the English Premier League but the midfielder’s joy was short-lived as he was stretchered out after the break with an ankle injury. 

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

Preview: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Preview: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Iskandar Puteri: Johor Darul Ta’zim can't afford anything other than victory when they meet Vissel Kobe in their concluding AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ tie on Tuesday.

Malaysia's JDT are seventh in the standings with eight points while Japan's Vissel Kobe will be seeking victory to confirm themselves as the top team in the East Zone.

Preview: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) v Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN)

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Preview: FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) v Chengdu Rongcheng FC (CHN)

Machida: Victory will be FC Machida Zelvia's only expectation when they play Chengdu Rongcheng FC in their concluding AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ tie on Tuesday.

Japan's Machida could end the League Stage top of the table while China PR's Chengdu desperately need victory if they are to stand a chance of advancing.

Preview: FC Seoul (KOR) v Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Tue, 17 Feb, 2026

Preview: FC Seoul (KOR) v Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Seoul: FC Seoul will have to be at their best on Tuesday if they are to keep their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ hopes alive.

The Korea Republic outfit - sixth with nine points - will confirm their Round of 16 spot with victory but will face a FC Machida Zelvia who could finish top of the East Zone with three points.

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Verdy drama; Buriram statement and Sailors perfection headline pivotal week

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

ASEAN & East Asia Wrap: Verdy drama; Buriram statement and Sailors perfection headline pivotal week

Kuala Lumpur: Tokyo Verdy and Sanfrecce Hiroshima set the tone in Japan with late drama and shootout composure while Newcastle Jets strengthened their grip on the A-League summit with another assured display.

In Thailand, Buriram United delivered a title statement away to BG Pathum United while Lion City Sailors continued their perfect run in Singapore with a seven-goal demolition of Tanjong Pagar.
 
There was also action in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the domestic scene unfolded across ASEAN and East Asia this past week.