#ACL - Review: Matchday Three

Fri, 27 Oct, 2023

#ACL - Review: Matchday Three

Kuala Lumpur: There were plenty of twists and turns on Matchday Three of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 with several teams boosting their hopes with crucial wins as the tournament reached the halfway stage.

Some, however,  left themselves in trouble and need to pick up the pace if they are to advance to the Round of 16, which will see the 10 group winners and six best runners-up - three each from the East and West zones - continuing to vie for the title. 
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how things stand after the latest round of action.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_full_match_-_group_a_|_al_ain_fc_uae_vs_al_fayha_fc_ksa.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_b_|_sharjah_fc_uae_1-0_fc_nasaf_uzb.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_c_|_al_ittihad_ksa_1-0_air_force_club_irq.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_d_|_al_hilal_sfc_ksa_6_-_0_mumbai_city_fc_ind.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_e_|_al_nassr_ksa_4_-_3_al_duhail_sc_qat.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_f_|_kitchee_sc_hkg_1-2_bangkok_united_tha.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_g_|_incheon_united_fc_kor_0_-_2_shandong_taishan_fc_chn.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_h_|_buriram_united_tha_0-2_melbourne_city_fc_aus.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_i_|_ulsan_hyundai_fc_kor_3_-_1_johor_darul_tazim_mas_1.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_j_|_urawa_red_diamonds_jpn_0-2_pohang_steelers_kor.html

Petrescu hails Jeonbuk’s spirit

Thu, 26 Oct, 2023

Petrescu hails Jeonbuk’s spirit

Jeonju: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors head coach Dan Petrescu praised his team's tenacity following their 3-0 win over Singapore’s Lion City Sailors in Group F of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Wednesday.

The win at Jeonju World Cup Stadium revived Jeonbuk’s campaign after their 3-2 defeat to Thailand’s Bangkok United on Matchday Two.

Muscat pleased after Marinos pass Kaya test

Thu, 26 Oct, 2023

Muscat pleased after Marinos pass Kaya test

Yokohama: J-League champions Yokohama F. Marinos passed an unexpected test from Kaya FC-Iloilo, leaving head coach Kevin Muscat happy to see his charges claim a 3-0 win in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 match on Wednesday.

Yokohama were put under pressure early on and could have gone a couple of goals behind before finding their rhythm in the game against a resolute Kaya defence that sat deep in their own half.

Oniki expects higher standards from Kawasaki

Wed, 25 Oct, 2023

Oniki expects higher standards from Kawasaki

Pathum Thani: Kawasaki Frontale head coach Toru Oniki does not want his team to rest on their laurels following their 4-2 win over BG Pathum United of Thailand in their AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 Group I encounter on Tuesday. 

The score was level at 1-1 after 45 minutes but Kawasaki kicked up a notch to score three goals as they made it three wins out of three.

Hong: This one is for the Ulsan fans

Wed, 25 Oct, 2023

Hong: This one is for the Ulsan fans

Ulsan: Hong Myung-bo was extremely proud to see Ulsan Hyundai overcome adversity to claim a 3-1 win over Johor Darul Ta’zim in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group I match on Tuesday.

The Korean side raced to a 3-0 lead after only 18 minutes but Kim Tae-hwan’s sending off in the 36th minute threatened to derail their chances of winning the game.

However, despite the Malaysian side pulling one back through Bergson at the start of the second half, the Tigers maintained their composure to see out the game.

Pohang’s Kim delighted with tactical masterclass against Urawa

Wed, 25 Oct, 2023

Pohang’s Kim delighted with tactical masterclass against Urawa

Saitama: Pohang Steelers signalled their title aspirations by defeating defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds 2-0 in Group J of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday.

Goals from Jeong Jae-hee and Goh Young-jun powered the 2009 winners to a third consecutive win with head coach Kim Gi-dong pleased to see the players executing his plans perfectly at Saitama Stadium.

Ronaldo's focus on Al Nassr, not records

Wed, 25 Oct, 2023

Ronaldo's focus on Al Nassr, not records

Riyadh: His double against Al Duhail SC took Cristiano Ronaldo's AFC Champions League™ haul to three goals but the Portuguese star said he is not chasing records in his debut campaign.

Having netted once in the Matchday Two win against FC Istiklol, Ronaldo was at his best on Tuesday, firing home the third and fourth as Al Nassr registered a thrilling 4-3 victory over Qatar's Al Duhail for a perfect nine points. 

Al Ain's determination pleases Schreuder

Wed, 25 Oct, 2023

Al Ain's determination pleases Schreuder

Al Ain: Head coach Alfred Schreuder was pleased with his team's focus and resilience after Al Ain defeated Al Fayha 4-1 in Group A of the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 on Tuesday.

A brace from Kaku and Kouame Kouaido's effort gave Al Ain a comfortable lead before Nawaf Al Harthi capitalised on a late error by Khalid Eisa to score for Al Fayha. 
 
Soufiane Rahimi, however, netted Al Ain's fourth in the 90th minute as the United Arab Emirates side maintained their perfect start to the campaign.

Al Hilal's depth pleases Jesus

Tue, 24 Oct, 2023

Al Hilal's depth pleases Jesus

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC head coach Jorge Jesus was delighted with the quality of his squad after the two-time AFC Champions League™ winners cruised 6-0 past Mumbai City on Monday.

The resounding win - which saw Serbian Aleksander Mitrovic netting a hat-trick - propelled Al Hilal to the top of the Group D standings, ahead of Uzbekistan's Navbahor on goal difference. 

Pinheiro urges Al Sadd to push on

Tue, 24 Oct, 2023

Pinheiro urges Al Sadd to push on

Doha: Head coach Bruno Pinheiro wants Al Sadd SC to make a concerted effort to advance to the Round of 16 after their impressive AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 Group B win against Al Faisaly on Monday.

The Qatar side finally found their best form to defeat Jordan's Al Faisaly 6-0 with Baghdad Bounedjah starring with a hat-trick for their first win of the campaign. 

Olăroiu hails Hosani after Sharjah seize top spot

Tue, 24 Oct, 2023

Olăroiu hails Hosani after Sharjah seize top spot

Sharjah: Cosmin Olăroiu hailed goalkeeper Adel Al Hosani after Sharjah FC defeated FC Nasaf 1-0 in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group B tie on Monday.

With Sharjah leading 1-0 in stoppage time, the custodian kept out Azizbek Amonov’s spot-kick as the United Arab Emirates club moved to the top of the standings on seven points. 
 
Olăroiu admitted it had been a nervy wait for the full time whistle, with Majed Hassan sent off in added time. 

Santo: Al Ittihad deserved the three points

Tue, 24 Oct, 2023

Santo: Al Ittihad deserved the three points

Jeddah: Al Ittihad head coach Nuno Espírito Santo did not hide his delight after his side edged Air Force Club 1-0 in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group C tie on Monday.

Despite dominating the match at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Al Ittihad had to wait till the fourth minute of stoppage time to net the winner through Abderrazak Hamdallah.