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Osako hits the high note at the right time for Vissel

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

Osako hits the high note at the right time for Vissel

Vissel: Yuya Osako was a man on a mission in Vissel Kobe’s 2-1 win over FC Seoul in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 second leg tie on Wednesday.

His header in the 78th minute saw the home side draw level after having been behind for much of the game to Patryk Klimala’s 20th minute strike, with Japan's Vissel eventually going on to win the game 2-1 thanks to Yosuke Ideguchi’s 89th minute goal to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

It had been a long wait for Osako - who started the competition with a strike in the opening League Stage game against China PR’s Shanghai Port FC - for a second goal, having missed four matches due to injury.

QF (2nd Leg): Felipe’s late winner takes Gamba through

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

QF (2nd Leg): Felipe’s late winner takes Gamba through

Ratchaburi: Welton Felipe’s goal in the ninth minute of extra time sent Gamba Osaka into the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ East Zone semi-finals after they beat Ratchaburi FC 2-1 in the return leg of their last eight tie at the Ratchaburi Stadium on Wednesday.

A brilliant strike from Gamba’s Genta Miura was offset by an opportunistic goal by Gleyson before Felipe struck the winner for the Japanese side, who had dominated the tie but couldn’t finish the job in regulation time as they advanced 3-2 on aggregate.

R16: Johor Darul Ta'zim create history

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

R16: Johor Darul Ta'zim create history

Hiroshima: Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim will play in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ for the first time despite a 1-0 loss against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday as Xisco Munoz’s side completed a 3-2 aggregate win over their Japanese hosts.

JDT, making their third appearance in the last 16 in four seasons, advanced as Bartosh Gaul’s J1 League outfit could only halve the 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Johor when Kosuke Kinoshita’s 90th minute penalty gave Hiroshima hope late in the match.
 
The successful spot-kick was a solitary blemish on an otherwise disciplined defensive display by the visitors, who join Buriram United, Machida Zelvia and Vissel Kobe in progressing to the next round.

R16: Vissel hold firm to confirm quarter-final ticket

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

R16: Vissel hold firm to confirm quarter-final ticket

Kobe: Japan’s Vissel Kobe batted their way into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after they came from behind to beat FC Seoul 2-1 in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie at the Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium on Wednesday.

Patryk Klimala’s first half strike was cancelled out by Yuya Osako and Yosuke Ideguchi after the break to give the Japanese outfit a 3-1 aggregate win as they advanced to the quarter-finals after having fallen at the Round of 16 hurdle last season.

Nagano caps birthday celebrations in style

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Nagano caps birthday celebrations in style

Perth: Fresh off celebrating her birthday on Monday, Fuka Nagano proved why she is Japan’s No.10 with a fabulous showing in their 4-0 defeat of Vietnam in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ Group C tie on Tuesday.

Nagano was the key link between the lines, orchestrating Japan’s attack with pinpoint passes all across the Perth Rectangular Stadium – leaving Riko Ueki, Maika Hamano, Aoba Fujino and Kiko Sieke to complete the job.

The 27-year-old Liverpool midfielder had a pass completion rate of over 90 percent - with more than 90 percent accuracy in Vietnam’s half, showcasing her ability to control play and initiate opportunities.

Nakamura repays teammates; Kuroda hails Machida spirit

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Nakamura repays teammates; Kuroda hails Machida spirit

Machida: Debutants FC Machida Zelvia continued their fairy-tale run in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after the 1-0 win against Gangwon FC on Tuesday took the Japanese side into the quarter-finals.

Hotaka Nakamura scored in the 25th minute and the 28-year-old right-back was delighted to be able to help the team, having missed the majority of the League Phase due to injury.

Nielsen expects Japan to get even better

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

Nielsen expects Japan to get even better

Perth: Japan may have sizzled but head coach Nils Nielsen believes there is still room for improvement after Japan stayed perfect in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026™ with a comprehensive 4-0 win over Vietnam in Group C on Tuesday.

Riko Ueki opened Japan’s account at the Perth Rectangular Stadium in the first half, with further goals from Maika Hamano, Aoba Fujino and Koko Seike completing the impressive victory as Japan concluded the group stage with 17 scored and none conceded. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html/video/wac2026-|-group-c-japan-4-0-vietnam

R16: Machida edge Gangwon to advance

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

R16: Machida edge Gangwon to advance

Machida: Japan’s Machida Zelvia squeezed into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ as Hotaka Nakamura’s 25th minute header earned the J1 League outfit a 1-0 win over Gangwon FC in the second leg of their Round of 16 encounter on Tuesday.

The victory at Machida Stadium ensured Go Kuroda’s side advanced after the teams had shared a goalless draw in the first leg in Korea Republic last week, allowing Machida to claim a 1-0 aggregate success.

Machida’s progress to the last eight is another remarkable achievement for a club that just two-and-a-half years ago was playing in their country's second tier but who have since established themselves in Japan’s top flight and won last year’s Emperor’s Cup.

#WAC2026 - Knockout Stage cast finalised

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

#WAC2026 - Knockout Stage cast finalised

Sydney: The knockout stage cast of the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026™ was completed on Tuesday as the group stage came to a thrilling end.

The quarter-finals will be played between Friday and Sunday, with defending champions China PR leading four other former winners into the business end of the continental showpiece.

Group C: Japan 4-0 Vietnam

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

Group C: Japan 4-0 Vietnam

Perth: Japan cruised to the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group C top spot with an impressive 4-0 win against Vietnam at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday.

The two-time winners finished with nine points and will meet the Philippines next while defeat meant Vietnam missed out on a place in the quarter-finals. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html/photo/group-c-japan-v-vietnam