AFC Champions League
With the next round of games to begin in the first week of November, the-AFC.com looks back at what those involved had to say after their Matchday Three encounters.
“Special night in Riyadh – 3 wins out of 3 – and top of the group! Happy 68 years to Al Nassr.”
Two stunning second-half strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo helped Al Nassr edge Al Duhail 4-3 as the Saudi side made it three wins out of three to sit at the top of the table in Group E.
“What a win…Shandong fans thanks for the support! We go again very soon.”
Marouane Fellaini scored his first AFC Champions League goal since 2019 to help his Shandong Taishan side inflict a first defeat on Incheon United, in the process overtaking their Korean opponents to top spot in Group G.
Jorge Jesus was delighted with the depth in his Al Hilal squad as last season’s finalists powered past Mumbai City 6-0, scoring five times from the 67th-minute mark with Aleksandar Mitrovic netting a hat-trick.
Pohang Steelers head coach Kim Gi-dong delivered a tactical masterclass as his team defeated defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds 2-0 at Saitama Stadium to signal their title aspirations.
Nuno Espirito Santo was delighted after Abderrazak Hamdallah’s 94th-minute winner helped Al Ittihad down Air Force Club 1-0 as the Saudi side went top of Group C.
After winning the first match at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium in over a month, head coach Hong Myung-bo dedicated their impressive 3-1 success against Johor Darul Ta’zim to the fans.
#ACL - Group I | Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) 3 - 1 Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)
Al Ain’s Dutch head coach Alfred Schreuder was pleased with his team’s determination in a 4-1 triumph over Al Fayha as the inaugural AFC Champions League winners maintained their perfect start.
“It was a very hard game in hot conditions. Last week in Melbourne was only 15 degrees so to come and play 90 minutes against a team that is used to the conditions was a big test.”
Melbourne City head coach Rado Vidosic spoke about the challenges they faced in an impressive 2-0 away win against Buriram United, with first half goals from Alessandro Lopane and Jamie Maclaren helping them take control of Group H.
