Group H: Melbourne suffer setback after Zhejiang stalemate

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Group H: Melbourne suffer setback after Zhejiang stalemate

Melbourne: A late goal from Nyasha Mushekwi saw Zhejiang FC grab a last gasp 1-1 draw at Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 in the final Group H tie at Princes Park on Tuesday.

After a goalless first half, German midfielder Tolgay Arslan opened the scoring shortly before the hour before Mushekwi’s stoppage time leveller for the Chinese club. A dramatic conclusion to the tie also saw Zhejiang down to 10-men after Wang Dongsheng’s dismissal.

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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. 

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.  

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.

Europe Wrap: Son shines for Spurs

Tue, 12 Dec, 2023

Europe Wrap: Son shines for Spurs

Kuala Lumpur: Captain Son Heung-min came up with a goal and two assists to help Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham Hotspur bounce back from a four-match winless run by beating Newcastle United 4-1 on Sunday while his compatriot Hwang Hee-chan also netted in England earlier in the week. 

Takefusa Kubo bagged a goal and an assist in Real Sociedad’s 3-0 win against Villarreal on Saturday, taking his tally to six goals and three assists in Spain this season, while Australian midfielder Jackson Irvine was again on the scoresheet for FC St Pauli in the German second division. 
 
Philippines winger Gerrit Holtmann scored his first goal in Turkey since his loan move to Antalyaspor while Hong Hyun-seok was on the mark for Gent in Belgium, so join the-AFC.com as we look at how the Asian stars performed in Europe over the past week.