#ACL - Q-finalists confirmed

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

#ACL - Q-finalists confirmed

Kuala Lumpur: Five former champions are among the eight teams who confirmed their places in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-finals after the conclusion of the Round of 16 on Thursday.

Among teams seeking their first title, China PR’s Shandong Taishan were the first side to check into the last eight after an exciting 4-2 second leg win over Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday.

Al Hilal fight back to stay on course

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Al Hilal fight back to stay on course

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC booked their place in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-finals with a 3-1 win over Sepahan FC at Kingdom Arena in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie on Thursday.

Just like they did in the first leg in Isfahan, Al Hilal came from a goal down to overcome Sepahan who once more found themselves finishing the game with 10 men, the Saudis advancing with a 6-2 aggregate score to a quarter-final meeting with domestic rivals Al Ittihad.

Al Ittihad edge Navbahor to advance

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Al Ittihad edge Navbahor to advance

Jeddah: Two-time champions Al Ittihad came from a goal down to defeat Uzbekistan’s Navbahor 2-1 and advance to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-finals at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Thursday.

The two teams had played out a goalless draw in Namangan a week ago, and it was an unlikely combination of two own goals from strikers Karim Benzema and Toma Tabatadze separated by an Abderrazak Hamdallah strike which decided the return leg.

Al Nassr's Otavio targeting glory

Thu, 22 Feb, 2024

Al Nassr's Otavio targeting glory

Riyadh: Otavio wants more after Al Nassr sealed progress to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-finals on Wednesday. 

The Portuguese midfielder opened the scoring in the 17th minute with compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo adding the second as Al Nassr defeated Al Fayha 2-0 in their Round of 16 second leg tie, advancing to a last eight meeting with UAE's Al Ain 3-0 on aggregate. 

Crespo: Players have made Al Ain proud

Thu, 22 Feb, 2024

Crespo: Players have made Al Ain proud

Al Ain: Hernan Crespo hailed his players after Al Ain came from behind to defeat FC Nasaf 2-1 in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 second leg at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday.

Victory meant former AFC Champions League winners Al Ain advanced to the quarter-finals of the continental showpiece for the first time in seven years, adding to Crespo's joy.

Marinos’ perseverance delights Kewell

Thu, 22 Feb, 2024

Marinos’ perseverance delights Kewell

Yokohama: Head coach Harry Kewell was delighted with Yokohama F Marinos’ never-say-die attitude after the Japanese side came out tops in the second leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 tie against Thailand’s Bangkok United on Wednesday. 

Tied 2-2 after the first leg, Marinos dominated possession but found Bangkok hard to break but just when it seemed that a penalty shootout would be needed to decide the winners,  Wisarut Imura handled the ball in the final seconds of extra-time, with Anderson Lopes slotting home from 12 yards. 

Jo: Ulsan must be fully focused for Jeonbuk showdown

Thu, 22 Feb, 2024

Jo: Ulsan must be fully focused for Jeonbuk showdown

Tokyo: Jo Hyeon-woo is confident of Ulsan Hyundai’s chances against fellow Korea Republic side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors if they are fully focused when the two sides meet in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24.

The veteran shot stopper was at his best to deny a plucky Ventforet Kofu in their Round of 16 second leg tie as Ulsan sealed a 2-1 win on Wednesday to advance 5-1 aggregate. 

Barcellos' late strike sends Mariners through

Thu, 22 Feb, 2024

Barcellos' late strike sends Mariners through

Sydney: Ronald Barcellos came off the bench to score the winner in the final minute of extra time as Central Coast Mariners edged Macarthur FC 3-2 in an action-packed ASEAN Zonal final of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Thursday.

It took 81 minutes for Angel Torres to put Mariners ahead, only for Macarthur skipper Ulises Davila to head home an equaliser with two minutes left on the clock and take the tie into extra time. 

Lachlan Rose’s goal for Macarthur was then cancelled out by a Mikael Doka effort from distance before Mariners stunned the home support with a 120th-minute winner which booked their ticket to an Inter-Zone semi-final clash against India’s Odisha FC in March.

Vote for your Qatar Airways Assist of the Tournament

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Vote for your Qatar Airways Assist of the Tournament

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ recently came to a conclusion with hosts and defending champions Qatar cementing themselves as one of Asia’s finest with a second successive title.

Fans of Asian football witnessed wonderful assists leading to memorable goals and in this segment, the-AFC.com asks you, the fans, to vote for your favourite assist at the foot of the article.

Vote for your Continental Goal of the Tournament

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Vote for your Continental Goal of the Tournament

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ turned out to be a spectacular 18th edition of the prestigious competition, with hosts Qatar lifting their second successive title after an action-packed month of football.

A total of 132 goals were scored in 51 matches across the country at a ratio of 2.59 per match. The-AFC.com selects eight of the finest strikes from the tournament and asks you, the fans, to vote for your favourite at the foot of the article.