Win sets Al Ahli up nicely for upcoming battles, says Jaissle

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Win sets Al Ahli up nicely for upcoming battles, says Jaissle

Baghdad: Matthias Jaissle wants his Al Ahli Saudi FC side to draw confidence from Monday’s 5-0 win against Al Shorta as they seek to defend their AFC Champions League Elite™ title and target domestic honours.

The victory confirmed Al Ahli Saudi’s Round of 16 spot but there will be no time to celebrate as the Jeddah-based side face three domestic matches in nine days, one of which is against table-topping Al Nassr Club in the Saudi Pro League.

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Venues confirmed for AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2026

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Venues confirmed for AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2026

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has announced today the two match venues that will stage the AFC Champions League Elite™ (ACL Elite) Finals Jeddah 2026, which will take place between April 16 to 25, 2026.

Having both hosted the 2025 edition of the ACL Elite Finals, the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium will once again serve as the battlegrounds for the final seven showdowns of the 2025/26 season of the ACL Elite.

Inzaghi’s half-time talk keeps Al Hilal perfect

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Inzaghi’s half-time talk keeps Al Hilal perfect

Sharjah: Simone Inzaghi’s second half pep talk inspired Al Hilal SFC to their 1-0 win against  Sharjah FC as they maintained their flawless run in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Monday.

After a tight opening half, Al Hilal came back reinvigorated after the break with Cancelo driving into the box to set up Malcom, who thundered home into the top right corner in the 81st minute.

The Saudi Pro League side, who had confirmed their Round of 16 qualification with three matches to spare, hold a four-point lead at the top after a sixth consecutive win. 

Sano delighted to keep Al Gharafa in the hunt

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Sano delighted to keep Al Gharafa in the hunt

Al Rayyan: Seydou Sano was glad to have delivered after his last gasp goal secured Al Gharafa SC a 1-0 victory against UAE’s Al Wahda FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ tie on Monday.

The win moved the Qatari side to six points and kept their Round of 16 hopes alive with two matches remaining.

Skocic challenges Tractor to aim for more

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

Skocic challenges Tractor to aim for more

Tabriz: Tractor FC may have secured progression into the next stage of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ with two matches to spare but head coach Dragan Skocic is demanding that his side continue to aim for the stars

Monday’s 2-1 win against Qatar’s Al Duhail SC - which took the Islamic Republic of Iran side to 14 points - was achieved the hard way as a second half revival saw Shojae Khalilzadeh equalising with Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh then netting a stoppage time winner.

Europe Wrap: Asia’s best make their mark

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

Europe Wrap: Asia’s best make their mark

Kuala Lumpur: Japan’s Daizen Maeda, Australia’s Martin Boyle and Jordan’s Mousa Al Tamari were among the goal scorers and goal-makers lighting up key fixtures across major European competitions.

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