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Munoz proud of JDT despite heartbreaking exit

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Munoz proud of JDT despite heartbreaking exit

Jeddah: Xisco Munoz expressed pride in his players despite Johor Darul Ta’zim’s exit from the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ after Friday’s 2-1 defeat to Al Ahli Saudi FC in the quarter-finals.

The Spaniard expressed satisfaction at how JDT competed against the reigning champions on their home turf at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Munoz also revealed that stricken forward Jairo - who got a kick to the face that resulted in Al Ahli’s Ali Majrashi being shown the red card - was not in harm’s way.

Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi fight back to stay on title track

Sat, 18 Apr, 2026

Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi fight back to stay on title track

Jeddah: Ten-man Al Ahli Saudi FC came from behind to edge Johor Darul Ta’zim 2-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ quarter-final on Friday to move a step closer towards retaining their title.

JDT shocked Al Ahli with the opener from an Ali Majrashi own goal with the right-back then sent off for serious foul play but the Jeddah-based outfit equalised before half-time thanks to a Franck Kessie header.

Galeno produced a brilliant piece of magic after the interval with his superb long range strike sending Al Ahli through to a semi-final encounter with Japan’s Vissel Kobe on Monday.

Preview - Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Fri, 17 Apr, 2026

Preview - Q-final: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) v Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Jeddah:  Matthias Jaissle is anticipating a tough encounter for his Al Ahli Saudi FC side against Johor Darul Ta’zim in their AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ quarter-final on Friday.

The defending champions went through the grind in their Round of 16 tie on Monday, needing extra-time to edge Qatar’s Al Duhail SC with the Saudi Arabian side’s tactician focused on ensuring his players are in their best condition for the match at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium.

Al Ahli’s Ibanez calm in the eye of the storm; Insa counting on unity to power JDT

Thu, 16 Apr, 2026

Al Ahli’s Ibanez calm in the eye of the storm; Insa counting on unity to power JDT

Jeddah:  Al Ahli Saudi FC's Roger Ibanez and Johor Darul Ta’zim’s Natxo Insa are taking different approaches ahead of their sides' quarter-final meeting in the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ on Friday. 

The experience of going all the way last season is guiding Ibanez on how Al Ahli Saudi will be approaching their title defence at the business end of the 2025/26 edition.

For Insa, unity is what the midfielder is counting on to steer the Malaysian side in what is their first appearance at this stage of the tournament.

Jeddah 2026 cast decided

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Jeddah 2026 cast decided

Jeddah: The AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ is set for takeoff following the conclusion of the West Zone's Round of 16 matches on Tuesday.

The quarter-final ties will be played between Thursday and Saturday, with matches to be contested at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium.

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram, Svay Rieng canter to glory

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram, Svay Rieng canter to glory

Kuala Lumpur: Buriram United retained their Thai League title with four matches to spare following a 2-0 win over Ayutthaya United on Sunday.

Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC did the same in Cambodia, winning the title for the third season in a row. Newcastle Jets were held by Adelaide United but maintained their three-point lead in Australia while champions Johor Darul Ta'zim dropped points for the first time this season in the Malaysia Super League.

There were also matches in Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the past week's domestic action across ASEAN.

Qualifiers - Group F: Vietnam 3-1 Malaysia

Tue, 31 Mar, 2026

Qualifiers - Group F: Vietnam 3-1 Malaysia

Nam Dinh: Vietnam sealed a perfect AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Qualifiers Final Round Group F campaign with a 3-1 win against Malaysia at Thien Truong Stadium on Tuesday.

Three headers secured Kim Sang-sik’s side a comfortable win as they can start looking forward to a third successive appearance at the continental showpiece in January.

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram almost there; Jets surge clear

Mon, 23 Mar, 2026

ASEAN Wrap: Buriram almost there; Jets surge clear

Kuala Lumpur: Buriram United moved within a point of clinching the title in Thailand while Vietnam’s Cong An Ha Noi FC edged another tight contest to strengthen their hold at the top.

Newcastle Jets snatched a stoppage-time win to extend their advantage in Australia, Shan United emerged champions in Myanmar while there were also matches in Cambodia, Malaysia and Philippines so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the domestic scene unfolded across ASEAN this past week.

ASEAN Wrap: JDT Malaysian champs yet again

Mon, 16 Mar, 2026

ASEAN Wrap: JDT Malaysian champs yet again

Kuala Lumpur: Johor Darul Ta'zim defeated Brunei DPMM 3-0 to confirm a 12th consecutive Malaysia Super League title with five matches to spare.

Indonesia’s title race remained tense as Persib Bandung were held by Borneo in a clash between the top two while Thailand’s Buriram United continued their dominant march at the summit with a convincing win. Cong An Ha Noi FC strengthened their position at the top in Vietnam with another important three points.

There was also action in Australia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore and the Philippines so do join the-AFC.com in our weekly look back at the domestic scene across ASEAN.

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.

Preview – R16 (2nd Leg): Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) 1 v 3 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Preview – R16 (2nd Leg): Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) 1 v 3 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Hiroshima: Sanfrecce Hiroshima will have to go for broke from the first blow of the whistle against Johor Darul Ta'zim in the return leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

The Japanese side suffered a 3-1 defeat to the Malaysian champions, who are seeking to make the quarter-finals for the first time.

JDT’s Munoz upbeat; Sanfrecce’s Gaul relishing return leg

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

JDT’s Munoz upbeat; Sanfrecce’s Gaul relishing return leg

Iskandar Puteri: Xisco Munoz heaped praise on his players after Johor Darul Ta’zim took a significant step towards a place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ quarter-finals with a 3-1 win against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

It was a magical night for the home fans at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium as strikes from Ager Aketxe, Bergson and Marcos Guilherme gave the Malaysian champions a 3-0 lead before Nene’s own goal narrowed the margin as JDT moved closer to a first-ever quarter-final appearance.