Group H: Zhejiang FC (CHN) 3-2 Buriram United (THA)

Thu, 30 Nov, 2023

Group H: Zhejiang FC (CHN) 3-2 Buriram United (THA)

Huzhou: Franko Andrijasevic and Lucas Possignolo scored in the final 15 minutes as Zhejiang FC defeated Buriram United 3-2 in Group H at Huzhou Olympic Sports Centre on Wednesday to keep themselves alive in the fight for a place in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24.

Haris Vuckic’s early opener for the Thais was cancelled out by Leonardo in the 27th minute before Andrijasevic and Lucas scored late in the second half. Lonsana Doumbouya got a goal back for Buriram with three minutes remaining, but Zhejiang held on to move level on six points with their opponents.

The two sides remain firmly in the hunt for a knockout stage berth as they trail Ventforet Kofu and Melbourne City by only two points going into the final matchday in two weeks’ time.

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Group H: Ventforet Kofu (JPN) 3-3 Melbourne City FC (AUS)

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Group H: Ventforet Kofu (JPN) 3-3 Melbourne City FC (AUS)

Tokyo: Junma Miyazaki’s 85th minute header earned Ventforet Kofu a 3-3 draw with Melbourne City in Tokyo on Wednesday that keeps the J2 League side on top of Group H in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 with one match remaining of the group phase.

Miyazaki directed Cristiano’s cross into an empty net after City goalkeeper Jamie Young misread the centre from the right in the dying minutes of a pulsating clash at the National Stadium.
 
The draw leaves Kofu on top of Group H ahead of City with eight points by virtue of a better goal difference, although both teams could be passed later in the day should Buriram United defeat Zhejiang FC in the later game.

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.

Group J: Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) 2-1 Wuhan Three Towns (CHN)

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Group J: Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) 2-1 Wuhan Three Towns (CHN)

Saitama: Holders Urawa Red Diamonds kept their hopes of reaching the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 knockout rounds alive after a last-minute Jose Kante goal helped them claim a nervy 2-1 victory over China PR’s Wuhan Three Towns in Group J on Wednesday.

Urawa went in front eight minutes before the interval at Saitama Stadium through an Alexander Scholz penalty, but Davidson equalised midway through the second half before substitute Kante struck a dramatic winner in the 90th minute.
 
The result leaves Urawa on seven points from five games to mean they will go into their final match against Hanoi FC next week aiming to secure a spot in the last 16 as one of the three best-placed runners-up while Wuhan have been eliminated.

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. 

Group G: Bali United FC (IDN) 5-2 Stallion Laguna FC (PHI)

Thu, 30 Nov, 2023

Group G: Bali United FC (IDN) 5-2 Stallion Laguna FC (PHI)

Bali: Bali United moved to within three points of AFC Cup™ 2023-24 Group G leaders Central Coast Mariners on Wednesday as the Indonesians saw off a late fight back from Laguna Stallion to hand the club from the Philippines a 5-2 defeat in Gianyar.

Goals from Andhika Wijaya, Mohammed Rashid, Elias Dolah and Eber Bessa earned Teco’s side a four-goal lead before Jayvee Kallukaran and Griffin McDaniels gave the visitors hope of a revival until Jefferson snuffed out that possibility four minutes from time.
 
Bali United now have seven points from five games with their final clash against second placed Terengganu, who they trail by two points, on December 13 remaining. The group winners are sure to progress while the runners-up could also take a spot in the next round.

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.