Group H: Ventforet edge Buriram to create history

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Group H: Ventforet edge Buriram to create history

Buriram: Japanese second division side Ventforet Kofu created history on Tuesday by progressing to the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 after they defeated Thailand’s Buriram United 3-2 in their final Group H fixture. 

Motoki Hasegawa gave Ventforet the opening goal in the 22nd minute at Buriram Stadium before Peter Utaka struck twice to give the visiting side the comfort of a 3-0 advantage at the interval. 

Substitute Arthit Boodjinda reduced the deficit for the hosts three minutes after the restart before Goran Causic’s penalty in the 55th minute made for a nervy finish, but Ventforet held on to become the first second division side to advance to the knockout stage of the continental showpiece. 

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Preview - Group F: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) v Bangkok United (THA)

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group F: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) v Bangkok United (THA)

Jeonju: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors can erase the disappointment of a difficult season by defeating Bangkok United in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group F tie on Wednesday.

Victory will take the two-time AFC Champions League winners to the Round of 16, the minimum Jeonbuk will expect after a season which saw them finish fourth in the K-League 1.

Preview - Group F: Lion City Sailors (SGP) v Kitchee SC (HKG)

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group F: Lion City Sailors (SGP) v Kitchee SC (HKG)

Singapore: Lion City Sailors and Kitchee SC will be playing for pride when they meet in Group F of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Wednesday.

Both teams found themselves eliminated after underwhelming campaigns and will target victory to sign off on a high note.

Preview - Group G: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI) v Incheon United FC (KOR)

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group G: Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI) v Incheon United FC (KOR)

Manila: Kaya FC-Iloilo stand in Incheon United's way of the Korea Republic club booking a place in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16.

The sides meet in their final Group G ie in Manila on Wednesday with Incheon needing a win to advance.  

Preview - Group G: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Shandong Taishan (CHN)

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Preview - Group G: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v Shandong Taishan (CHN)

Yokohama: Yokohama F. Marinos have to defeat Shandong Taishan when the sides meet in their final AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group G tie on Wednesday.

A win will take Marinos through to the Round of 16 while Shandong only need a draw to confirm top spot and an automatic knockout stage berth. 

Ronaldo says not done yet after 50th goal this year

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Ronaldo says not done yet after 50th goal this year

Riyadh: Cristiano Ronaldo said he had more left in him this year after scoring his 50th goal of 2023 in Al Nassr's 5-2 Saudi King's Cup victory over rivals Al Shabab.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid forward lashed home from close range with his right foot in the 74th minute.

Player to Watch: Takefusa Kubo (Japan)

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Player to Watch: Takefusa Kubo (Japan)

Kuala Lumpur: Takefusa Kubo burst onto the global football scene with bags of potential and the 22-year-old Japanese winger has been truly delivering on that promise in recent times. 

After guiding Real Sociedad to a fourth-place finish in La Liga and helping them qualify for the UEFA Champions League during his debut campaign, Kubo has maintained his fine form for the Basque club by weighing in with goals and assists in the Spanish top flight so far this season. 
 
Kubo's impressive numbers will be music to the ears of Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu as the Samurai Blue look to go one step further at the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ after finishing as runners-up at the 2019 edition.

Al Kahrabaa's Salah eyes title

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Al Kahrabaa's Salah eyes title

Basra: Head coach Luay Salah wants Al Kahrabaa Club to aim for the title after they secured progression to the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 West Zonal semi-finals on Monday.

Three goals in the final 13 minutes powered the Iraqi club 3-1 past Al Ittihad Al Ahli Aleppo of Syria as Al Kahrabaa finished top of Group B with 13 points. 

Odisha hero Fall dedicates goal to new-born twins

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Odisha hero Fall dedicates goal to new-born twins

Bhubaneswar: Mourtada Fall dedicated his goal to his new-born twins after the Senegalese's solitary effort steered Odisha FC into the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-finals for the first time on Monday. 

Fall scored with a powerful header in the 61st minute as India's Odisha edged Bashundhara Kings 1-0 to finish as the Group D winners on 12 points, two ahead of their Bangladeshi opponents.