Matchday One: 5 things to look out for

Mon, 18 Sep, 2023

Matchday One: 5 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: The 2023-24 AFC Champions League™ is upon us as the group stage kicks off on Monday and a host of global stars prepare to make their debuts in Asia’s most prestigious club competition.

While Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema headline the new arrivals, defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds, last season’s runners-up Al Hilal SFC and six other former winners are also in the mix.
 
With 20 games to take place across 18 countries over the next three days, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for.

Preview - Group D: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Navbahor (UZB)

Tue, 19 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group D: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) v Navbahor (UZB)

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC will be on a mission to win the AFC Champions League™ title for a third time when they kick-off their 2023/24 campaign on Monday.

Denied by Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds last year, the Riyadh-based side face Uzbekistan's Navbahor in their opening Group D clash.

Preview - Group D: Mumbai City (IND) v Nassaji Mazandaran (IRN)

Mon, 18 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group D: Mumbai City (IND) v Nassaji Mazandaran (IRN)

Pune: Having impressed in their AFC Champions League™ debut last year, India's Mumbai City will be hoping to scale even greater heights in the 2023/24 edition.

In a memorable debut, Mumbai City became the first Indian team to win an AFC Champions League match en route to a second-place finish in Group B.

Preview - Group C: Al Ittihad FC (KSA) v AGMK FC (UZB)

Tue, 19 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group C: Al Ittihad FC (KSA) v AGMK FC (UZB)

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad FC will look to hit the ground running when they open their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group C campaign against AGMK FC of Uzbekistan on Monday.

The Jeddah-based side ended a 14-year wait for the Saudi Pro League title in 2022/23 but AFC Champions League glory has eluded them even longer, having won back-to-back titles in 2004 and 2005.

Preview - Group C: Air Force Club (IRQ) v Sepahan FC (IRN)

Tue, 19 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group C: Air Force Club (IRQ) v Sepahan FC (IRN)

Erbil: Air Force Club of Iraq and Islamic Republic of Iran's Sepahan FC are set for a thrilling clash in Group C of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Monday.

With Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad and AGMK FC of Uzbekistan also in the group, both teams know a winning start will be crucial if they are to enjoy successful campaigns.

Preview - Group B: Al Sadd SC (QAT) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Tue, 19 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group B: Al Sadd SC (QAT) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Doha: Qatar's Al Sadd SC will aim to avoid an early slip-up when they face Sharjah FC in their opening AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group B tie on Monday.

Al Sadd will be on a mission to redeem themselves after suffering group stage elimination last season.

Preview - Group B : Al Faisaly (JOR) v FC Nasaf (UZB)

Sun, 17 Sep, 2023

Preview - Group B : Al Faisaly (JOR) v FC Nasaf (UZB)

Amman: Jordan's Al Faisaly and FC Nasaf of Uzbekistan will be determined to kick off their respective AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 campaigns on a winning note when they face off in their opening Group B tie on Monday.

While Nasaf have AFC Champions League history behind them, Al Faisaly will be fired up to mark their group stage debut on a high note.