Group F: Kitchee SC (HKG) 1-2 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Group F: Kitchee SC (HKG) 1-2 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Hong Kong: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC kept their hopes of reaching the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 alive by registering a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Kitchee SC in their penultimate Group F outing on Wednesday.

Moon Seon-min and Song Min-kyu gave Jeonbuk a 2-0 lead at Hong Kong Stadium before the visitors went down to 10 men following a red card to Jeong Tae-wook late in the first half. Despite Jakob Jantscher halving Kitchee’s deficit in the 69th minute, the Koreans held on to claim the crucial three points.

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Group J: Pohang Steelers (KOR) 2-0 Hanoi FC (VIE)

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Group J: Pohang Steelers (KOR) 2-0 Hanoi FC (VIE)

Pohang: Pohang recorded their fifth straight win as they beat Hanoi FC 2-0 at the Pohang Steel Yard Stadium in Group J of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24.

Having already booked their Round of 16 spot, Pohang delivered another masterclass as they reinforced their credentials as among the favourites to lift the title. 

Mercurial Al Dawsari shows his class

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Mercurial Al Dawsari shows his class

Namangan: Missing one penalty, let alone two, can shatter the confidence of a player but Salem Al Dawsari is not your average player.

Having failed to convert from the spot in the 11th and 68th minutes, the Al Hilal SFC captain then grabbed the headlines with a stunning goal to seal the Saudi Arabian side's win against Navbahor of Uzbekistan in Group D of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday.
 
The 2-0 victory also secured two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal their spot in the Round of 16. 

Al Ain's Crespo unperturbed by Pakhtakor defeat

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Al Ain's Crespo unperturbed by Pakhtakor defeat

Al Ain: Head coach Hernan Crespo was not worried despite Al Ain falling to a 3-1 defeat against Pakhtakor FC in Group A of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday.

With the UAE side having already qualified for the Round of 16 with two matches to spare, the newly-appointed Crespo used Tuesday's match at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium to give his fringe players match exposure. 

Salah hails resilient Al Kahraaba

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Salah hails resilient Al Kahraaba

Kuwait City: Head coach Luay Salah said Al Kahrabaa SC's strong will was the reason behind the Iraqi side defeating Kuwait SC in their AFC Cup 2023/24™ tie on Tuesday.

Mahmood Khaleel Al Badri scored the winner in the 74th minute and Al Kahrabaa will confirm the Group B top spot and a berth in the knockout stage with victory over Syria's Al Ittihad Al Ahli Aleppo on December 11. 

Young Incheon players make Cho proud

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Young Incheon players make Cho proud

Incheon: Head coach Cho Sung-Hwan said his Incheon United players showed great determination for their 2-1 win over Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in Group G of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday.

Incheon controlled the game, taking a two-goal lead before F. Marinos pulled one back late in the game, as the Korea Republic side reignited their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

Choi: Superior fitness powered Shandong past Kaya FC

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Choi: Superior fitness powered Shandong past Kaya FC

Jinan: A superb second half display saw Shandong Taishan FC walk away with a 6-1 win over Kaya FC-Iloilo in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday, much to the delight of head coach Choi Kang-hee.

The Korean tactician oversaw his charges turn the game around in superb fashion having gone behind on 21 minutes, giving their fans at the Jinan Olympics Sports Centre much to cheer for in their final home game in Group G.

Ulsan’s Hong pleased to pass tough BG Pathum test

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Ulsan’s Hong pleased to pass tough BG Pathum test

Pathum Thani: Ulsan Hyundai saw two different sides of BG Pathum United but ultimately secured a 3-1 win that enabled the Korea Republic side to confirm that they will finish no lower than second in Group I of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24.

Ulsan hold a three-point lead over Johor Darul Ta’zim and despite one round of matches remaining, the Koreans cannot be overtaken by the Malaysian champions because of a better head-to-head record.
 
With the top spot secured by Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, Ulsan’s only hope for a place in the Round of 16 is via the three best East group stage runners-up route.

Group G: Central Coast Mariners FC (AUS) 1-1 Terengganu FC (MAS)

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Group G: Central Coast Mariners FC (AUS) 1-1 Terengganu FC (MAS)

Gosford: Australia’s Central Coast Mariners remain in pole position for a place in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 ASEAN Zonal semi-finals after coming from behind to claim a 1-1 draw against Malaysia’s Terengganu FC in Group G on Wednesday.

The hosts spurned several chances in a goalless opening 45 minutes at Central Coast Stadium before Terengganu took the lead against the run of play eight minutes into the second half through Engku Nur Shakir.
 
But substitute Miguel Di Pizio’s equaliser in the final five minutes secured a deserved draw for Central Coast as they maintained their slender one-point advantage over Terengganu at the top of the standings with one round of fixtures remaining.