Preview: Al Nassr (KSA) v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE)

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

Preview: Al Nassr (KSA) v Shabab Al Ahli Dubai (UAE)

Riyadh: Al Nassr will have to bounce back from two consecutive opening defeats in the 2023/24 Saudi Pro League when they face UAE's Shabab Al Ahli Dubai in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Playoffs on Tuesday. 

The Cristiano Ronaldo-powered Al Nassr have struggled to click and can expect another tough test against a Shabab Al Ahli side oozing confidence after two huge wins the past week.  

Preview: Tractor FC (IRN) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

Preview: Tractor FC (IRN) v Sharjah FC (UAE)

Tabriz: Tractor SC of Islamic Republic of Iran will host Sharjah FC of the United Arab Emirates in a winner-takes-all AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 playoff at the Yadegar Imam Stadium in Tabriz on Tuesday. 

Tractor, who qualified after finishing fourth in the 2022-23 Iran Pro League, will need to bounce back after defeat to Persepolis FC in a league match lat week while Sharjah will be confident of their chances after two big wins this past week.

Preview: Al Wakrah SC (QAT) v Navbahor (UZB)

Wed, 23 Aug, 2023

Preview: Al Wakrah SC (QAT) v Navbahor (UZB)

Al Wakrah: Qatar's Al Wakrah and Navbahor of Uzbekistan will both fancy their chances of advancing to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 group stage when they face off in the a playoff tie on Tuesday. 

Preview: Zhejiang FC (CHN) v Port FC (THA)

Tue, 22 Aug, 2023

Preview: Zhejiang FC (CHN) v Port FC (THA)

Huzhou: China PR’s Zhejiang FC will welcome Thailand’s Port FC to Huzhou Olympic Sports Center on Tuesday with both sides targeting a place in the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 group stage. 

Zhejiang secured their spot in the playoff round after a third-place finish in last season’s Chinese Super League, while Port did like wise in Thai League 1. 

Preview: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) v BG Pathum United (THA)

Tue, 22 Aug, 2023

Preview: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) v BG Pathum United (THA)

Shanghai: Shanghai Port FC and BG Pathum United will lock horns at Shanghai Pudong Football Stadium on Tuesday with a place in the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 group stage on offer to the victor.

The Chinese Super League team are looking to appear in the group stage for the sixth time but first since 2020, while their Thai opponents are aiming to return for the third successive year. 

Preview: Incheon United FC (KOR) v Haiphong FC (VIE)

Tue, 22 Aug, 2023

Preview: Incheon United FC (KOR) v Haiphong FC (VIE)

Incheon: Two sides aiming to qualify for the AFC Champions League™ group stage for the first time face off on Tuesday when Korea Republic’s Incheon United FC welcome Vietnam’s Haiphong FC to Incheon Football Stadium. 

The hosts secured their place in the playoff round following a fourth-placed finish in K League 1 last season while the visitors, who finished as the 2022 V.league runners-up, progressed after beating Hong Kong Rangers FC in last week’s preliminary round. 

Preview: Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) v Lee Man (HKG)

Tue, 22 Aug, 2023

Preview: Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) v Lee Man (HKG)

Saitama: Defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds will look to secure their place in the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 group stage when they welcome Hong Kong’s Lee Man to Saitama Stadium on Tuesday. 

After beating Al Hilal SFC in the 2022 final in May, Urawa were placed in the playoff round for the upcoming edition while Lee Man, who finished as last season's Hong Kong Premier League runners-up, eased to a 5-1 win over Bali United in the preliminary round to book their ticket to Saitama.

Stage set for AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group Stage Draw

Fri, 18 Aug, 2023

Stage set for AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group Stage Draw

Kuala Lumpur: The battle lines for the best clubs in Asia will be determined when the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Group Stage draw takes place at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur on August 24, 2023 at 4pm. 

Marking the first instance of the AFC Club Competitions calendar shifting from its current Spring-Autumn season to an Autumn-Spring calendar, the 21st edition of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC)’s flagship club competition will take place from September 2023 to May 2024. 

Scholz determined to take Urawa past Lee Man

Sun, 20 Aug, 2023

Scholz determined to take Urawa past Lee Man

Saitama: Urawa Red Diamonds’ Danish defender Alex Scholz has his eyes set on victory over Lee Man on Tuesday as the defending champions prepare to take on the Hong Kong Premier League runners-up in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 playoff at Saitama Stadium.

Lee Man handed Indonesia’s Bali United a 5-1 defeat last week to advance to the final preliminary round, but Scholz is determined that the three-time winners will be the side that progresses into Thursday’s draw for the Group Stage.

Gomis sold on 'Project Kawasaki'

Mon, 21 Aug, 2023

Gomis sold on 'Project Kawasaki'

Kawasaki: Two-time AFC Champions League™ winner Bafetimbi Gomis has said the desire to help Kawasaki Frontale return to the upper reaches of Japanese football was his principal motivation for joining the J1 League club.

The former Al Hilal forward, who led Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal SFC to the continental title in 2019 and 2021, has signed an initial six-month contract with Kawasaki with the option for an additional year and he is focused on lifting the club out of their current slump.

The Playoffs and beyond

Sat, 19 Aug, 2023

The Playoffs and beyond

Kuala Lumpur: The final eight places up for grabs in the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 will be confirmed on Tuesday after the conclusion of eight playoff matches across the continent.

For some sides, qualification to the group stage would rank as a historic achievement, while others would immediately set their sights on going deep into the tournament, and perhaps even ending the campaign as kings of Asia.
 
It’s a long journey from the playoffs to the final – the-AFC.com has looked back through the archives to find out which teams have delivered standout performances after clearing the final qualification hurdle.

Playoffs: Ones to Watch

Fri, 18 Aug, 2023

Playoffs: Ones to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: The final cast for the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 is set to be determined on Tuesday as 16 teams from across the continent get set to take part in the playoff round with eight spots in the continental competition up for grabs. 

The tournament is likely to see its most star-studded cast to date with global icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema – among many others – having made the move to the Saudi Pro League in recent months. 
 
With defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds and Ronaldo's Al Nassr among the sides competing in the final round of qualifiers, the-AFC.com has selected eight players to look out for.