#ACLElite - MD6 (West): In numbers

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

#ACLElite - MD6 (West): In numbers

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Six (West) of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ more than lived up to expectations.

Amazing comebacks, narrow wins and elimination were all served on a platter and the-AFC.com picks out several facts and figures that caught the eye.

Victory is all that matters, says Al Ittihad’s Benzema

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

Victory is all that matters, says Al Ittihad’s Benzema

Jeddah: Karim Benzema was both relieved and delighted after Al Ittihad Club returned to winning ways in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over PFC Nasaf at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Tuesday.

The Saudi Arabian side had to be patient against a resilient Nasaf defence before Benzema struck in the second half, his decisive effort lifting Al Ittihad to nine points and bringing an end to the Uzbekistan side’s hopes of reaching the Round of 16.

Mujica: Al Sadd never stopped believing

Wed, 24 Dec, 2025

Mujica: Al Sadd never stopped believing

Doha: Hat-trick hero Rafa Mujica attributed self-belief as the key factor for Al Sadd SC’s dramatic 4-2 comeback win over Shabab Al Ahli in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ tie at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday.

Trailing 2-0 following goals from Federico Cartabia and Yahya Al Ghassani, Al Sadd appeared on the brink of elimination before Mujica turned the match on its head with a superb treble, with Tarek Salman adding a fourth as the Qatari side registered their first win of the campaign to keep their hopes alive.

Round of 16 cast finalised

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Round of 16 cast finalised

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ Round of 16 cast has been decided following the conclusion of Matchday Six of the West Zone on Wednesday.

The teams will know their knockout stage fate when the draw is held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on December 30.

Year in Review: AFC Challenge League 2024/25™

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Year in Review: AFC Challenge League 2024/25™

Kuala Lumpur: FK Arkadag emerged champions of the AFC Challenge League 2024/25™ after a hard-fought 2-1 extra-time win over Cambodia's Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC.

Victory for the Turkmenistan side not only meant continental honour but also a ticket to the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™.

Know your team: Uzbekistan

Thu, 25 Dec, 2025

Know your team: Uzbekistan

Jeddah: Uzbekistan will, yet again, be among the teams to beat at the AFC U23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™.

Champions in 2018, Uzbekistan also reached the final of the 2022 and 2024 editions, underlining their reputation as among Asian football’s powerhouses.