#ACL - Review: Matchday Two

Fri, 06 Oct, 2023

#ACL - Review: Matchday Two

Kuala Lumpur: Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar scored their maiden goals as the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 witnessed a sizzling Matchday Two.

Several teams boosted their knockout stage hopes, some bounced back while a few have a lot of work ahead of them so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how Matchday Two unfolded and what to expect in the next round of matches. 

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_a_|_al_ain_fc_uae_4_-_2_ahal_fc_tkm.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_b_|_fc_nasaf_uzb_3_-_1_al_sadd_sc_qat.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_c_|_agmk_fc_uzb_1-2_air_force_club_irq_1.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_d_|_nassaji_mazandaran_fc_irn_0_-_3_al_hilal_sfc_ksa.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_e_|_al_nassr_ksa_3_-_1_fc_istiklol_tjk.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_f_|_bangkok_united_tha_3-2_jeonbuk_hyundai_motors_fc_kor.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_g_|_incheon_united_fc_kor_4-0_kaya_fc-iloillo_phi.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_h_|_zhejiang_fc_chn_1-2_melbourne_city_fc_aus.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_i_|_kawasaki_frontale_jpn_1-0_ulsan_hyundai_fc_kor.html

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_group_j_|_pohang_steelers_kor_3_-_1_wuhan_three_towns_fc_chn.html

Kante praises Urawa’s desire for goals

Thu, 05 Oct, 2023

Kante praises Urawa’s desire for goals

Saitama: Jose Kante was delighted with Urawa Red Diamonds’ performance in their 6-0 win over Vietnam’s Hanoi FC in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group J match on Wednesday. 

Pham Tuan Hai’s own goal put Maciej Skorza’s side ahead before efforts from Alexander Scholz, Toshiki Takahashi, Takahiro Sekine, Kante and Ekanit Panya moved Urawa onto four points following their opening draw with Wuhan Three Towns.

The defending champions impressed throughout the 90 minutes, producing 25 shots on goal with 12 on target, showing tremendous desire to not ease up at any point in the game.

Lion City’s precision delights Rankovic, Kim vows Kitchee will bounce back

Thu, 05 Oct, 2023

Lion City’s precision delights Rankovic, Kim vows Kitchee will bounce back

Hong Kong: Head coach Aleksandar Rankovic applauded his team’s sharpness after Lion City Sailors defeated Kitchee SC 2-1 in Group F of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Wednesday.

The win took Lion City to third in the standings on goal difference, with Thailand’s Bangkok United on top with maximum points following their 3-2 win over second-placed Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Korea Republic.

Bangkok United’s Totchtawan calls for focus to maintain good start

Thu, 05 Oct, 2023

Bangkok United’s Totchtawan calls for focus to maintain good start

Pathum Thani: They may be flying high in Group F of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 with a perfect six points but Totchtawan Sripan intends to keep his Bangkok United charges grounded as the Thai side eye progression from the group stage.

Wednesday’s 3-2 win over two-time winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Korea Republic will give the group leaders plenty of confidence but having previously experienced the rough and tumble of this competition with Muangthong United, Totchtawan knows his team has to take it step by step.

Marinos worked hard for victory, says Mizunuma

Wed, 04 Oct, 2023

Marinos worked hard for victory, says Mizunuma

Jinan: Match winner Kota Mizunuma said teamwork was the catalyst for Yokohama F. Marinos’ hard-fought 1-0 AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 win against China PR’s Shandong Taishan FC on Tuesday.

The three points at Jinan Olympic Sports Centre was the Marinos first win of their 2023/24 campaign, having been stunned 4-2 by Incheon United in their Group G opener.

Kevin Muscat's Japanese champions are second in the standings, three adrift of Incheon who sailed 3-0 past Kaya FC-Iloilo of the Philippines.

Al Hilal's Jesus hails perfect performance against Nassaji

Wed, 04 Oct, 2023

Al Hilal's Jesus hails perfect performance against Nassaji

Tehran: A perfect performance resulted in Al Hilal SFC cruising to a 3-0 win over Nassaji Mazandaran in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group D match on Tuesday, said head coach Jorge Jesus.

Brazilian superstar Neymar scored his first goal in Al Hilal colours with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Saleh Al Shehri adding one each as two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal recorded their first victory of this season's continental campaign after being held 1-1 by Uzbekistan's Navbahor on Matchday One.

The best we have played this season, says Al Ain's Schreuder

Wed, 04 Oct, 2023

The best we have played this season, says Al Ain's Schreuder

Al Ain: Breathtaking football took Al Ain past Ahal FC in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group A tie, with head coach Alfred Schreuder saying Tuesday's performance was the best his players have performed so far this season.

Erik, Soufiane Rahimi, Kodjo Laba and Kouame Kouadio scored as UAE's Al Ain defeated Ahaln 4-2 to take a firm grip on top spot, having beaten Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor FC 3-0 on Matchday One.

Solari lauds JDT’s character in comeback win

Wed, 04 Oct, 2023

Solari lauds JDT’s character in comeback win

Pathum Thani: Head coach Esteban Solari was proud of his Johor Darul Ta’zim players response after going behind to BG Pathum United in Tuesday’s AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group I tie on Tuesday.

The Malaysian champions, instead of collapsing, bounced back in style as a brace from Arif Aiman, Bergson and Juan Muniz secured them a 4-2 win, the first time they have won an AFC Champions League group stage match after going behind. 

The win took the Southern Tigers, who lost their opening game to Kawasaki Frontale, to second in the standings with a trip to Korea Republic to face former champions Ulsan Hyundai up next on October 24.

My confidence in players knows no limits, says Al Nassr's Castro

Tue, 03 Oct, 2023

My confidence in players knows no limits, says Al Nassr's Castro

Riyadh: Luis Castro had no doubt his Al Nassr side would walk away with the three points despite trailing at halftime in their AFC Champions League 2023/24 Group E tie against FC Istiklol on Monday.

Senin Sebai scored for the Tajikistan side against the run of play just before the break but Cristiano Ronaldo's first AFC Champions League was followed by a Talisca brace as Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr made it two wins out of two.

Olaroiu expresses relief after Sharjah edge Al Faisaly

Tue, 03 Oct, 2023

Olaroiu expresses relief after Sharjah edge Al Faisaly

Sharjah: Cosmin Olaroiu couldn't help but feel relieved after Sharjah FC held on for a 1-0 win against Al Faisaly in Group B of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

Moussa Marega’s 20th minute effort ultimately separated the two sides as UAE's Sharjah moved up to four points, two adrift of leaders FC Nasaf. 
 
Olaroiu admitted it had been a nervous wait for the final whistle after Marega's first AFC Champions League goal for Sharjah.