Preview - R16: Sepahan FC (IRN) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Fri, 16 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16: Sepahan FC (IRN) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Isfahan: Sepahan FC will relish the chance of taking on Al Hilal SFC in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 on Thursday.

Sepahan are the only team from Islamic Republic of Iran who advanced from the group stage and will have to be at their best against an Al Hilal side determined to make up for losing in last season's final.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_preview_round_of_16.html

Preview - R16: Navbahor (UZB) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)

Thu, 15 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16: Navbahor (UZB) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)

Namangan: Navbahor will aim to continue from where they left off when they host Al Ittihad FC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 tie on Thursday.

The Uzbekistan side impressed in the group stage but will need to be at their best against an Al Ittihad side determined to end a long wait for a third continental title. 

Preview - R16: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) v Ventforet Kofu (JPN)

Thu, 15 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) v Ventforet Kofu (JPN)

Ulsan: Ulsan Hyundai will not take Ventforet Kofu lightly when the two sides face off in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 first leg tie on Thursday.

It will be a meeting between a two-time AFC Champions League winner against a side determined to create more history in their debut appearance on the continental front.

Oniki expects Kawasaki to remain focused in rematch

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Oniki expects Kawasaki to remain focused in rematch

Jinan: Head coach Toru Oniki said his players’ fighting spirit earned Kawasaki Frontale their hard-fought 3-2 win over Shandong Taishan in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Kawasaki were 2-0 ahead thanks to goals from Erison and Marcinho but Shandong fought back, with Akihiro Ienaga’s strike giving the Japanese side a narrow lead to take into next week’s  return leg.

Kawasaki Frontale edge Shandong Taishan in thriller

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Kawasaki Frontale edge Shandong Taishan in thriller

Ji’nan: Kawasaki Frontale will take a slender advantage into the second leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 meeting with Shandong Taishan next week after Jadson’s late header limited the Japanese side to a 3-2 win in Jinan on Tuesday.

The Brazilian powered his effort past Jung Sung-ryong four minutes from time to give the Chinese Super League outfit hope of progressing after twice trailing by two goals in an eventful return to the continental championship for both sides.

Erison and Marcinho had given Kawasaki a comfortable lead by the 33rd minute but Fei Nanduo’s  strike gave an improved Shandong belief in the second half before Ienaga restored the J1 League side’s advantage.

But Jadson’s 86th minute header reduced the deficit again to leave the tie finely poised ahead of the return meeting at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium next Tuesday.

Salah: Al Kahrabaa will be better in return leg

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Salah: Al Kahrabaa will be better in return leg

Muscat: Head coach Luai Salah expects an improved performance when Al Kahrabaa host Lebanon's Al Ahed in the return leg of their AFC Cup 2023/24 West Zonal semi-final next week.

Mohamed Zaher's 20th minute strike secured Iraq's Al Kahrabaa the first leg advantage but Salah said he wasn't completely satisfied with his team's performance. 

Jackson thrilled with Mariners’ impressive bounce back

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Jackson thrilled with Mariners’ impressive bounce back

Gosford: Head coach Mark Jackson was delighted to see Central Coast Mariners continue their march in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 after a 4-0 win over Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown FC in their ASEAN Zonal semi-final on Tuesday. 

The 46-year-old was proud with how his charges overcame the challenge posed by Oleg Starynskyi’s side, who had beaten another Australian side in Macarthur FC in the group stage.

Mariners will face Macarthur - who defeated Malaysia’s Sabah FC earlier on Tuesday - in the ASEAN Zonal final on February 22.  

Sterjovski praises Macarthur’s composure in win over Sabah

Wed, 14 Feb, 2024

Sterjovski praises Macarthur’s composure in win over Sabah

Sydney: Head coach Mile Sterjovski credited Macarthur FC’s dominant second half display for their 3-0 win against Malaysia's Sabah FC in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 ASEAN Zonal semi-final at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Tuesday.

The Australian side took the lead through captain Ulises Davila in the 40th minute, with a second half brace from Jed Drew sealing progress into the ASEAN Zonal final, where they will face compatriots Central Coast Mariners on February 22. 

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™: The Stats Leaders

Tue, 13 Feb, 2024

AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™: The Stats Leaders

Doha: After Qatar secured a second successive AFC Asian Cup™ title with a 3-1 victory against Jordan in Saturday’s final, the-AFC.com takes a closer look at the numbers and players that caught the eye during the campaign.

There were several standout performers in another historic chapter of Asia’s most prestigious competition as we break down the statistics to review some of the key categories and those who excelled in them.