Quarter-finals: 1st Leg in Numbers

Fri, 08 Mar, 2024

Quarter-finals: 1st Leg in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: It was another exciting week of action in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 as the first legs of the four quarter-final ties were played out across the continent. 

All four knockout contests remain firmly in the balance after the first leg as we move closer and closer to finding out who will take over the crown from Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds who won the 2022 edition of Asia’s premier club competition. 
 
Ahead of next week's return fixtures, the-AFC.com takes a look at the stats and facts that caught the eye from the first leg encounters. 

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Kewell happy with Yokohama’s precision; Choi vows Shandong will bounce back

Thu, 07 Mar, 2024

Kewell happy with Yokohama’s precision; Choi vows Shandong will bounce back

Ji'nan: Head coach Harry Kewell was proud of Yokohama F. Marinos’ performance in their 2-1 win  over Shandong Taishan in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final at the Jinan Olympic Sports Centre Stadium on Wednesday. 

Anderson Lopes opened the scoring in the seventh minute with Yan Matheus doubling the advantage in the 69th minute before Chen Pu pulled one back for Shandong to keep the tie finely balanced. 

Jesus warns Al Hilal against complacency after Al Ittihad win

Wed, 06 Mar, 2024

Jesus warns Al Hilal against complacency after Al Ittihad win

Riyadh: Jorge Jesus expects his Al Hilal SFC side to keep their foot on the pedal when they meet Al Ittihad in the second leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final next week.

The four-time Asian champions took a firm grip on the tie with a 2-0 win in the first leg on Tuesday but Jesus saw glimpses of complacency in his side's performance which he said could cost them in the return leg.

Petrescu: Jeonbuk paid a heavy price for one mistake

Wed, 06 Mar, 2024

Petrescu: Jeonbuk paid a heavy price for one mistake

Jeonju: Head coach Dan Petrescu was left to regret his side’s squandered chances after a single mistake enabled Ulsan Hyundai FC to come back to hold Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final first leg on Tuesday.

The Romanian felt his side should have taken a lead into next week's return leg but Jeonbuk’s inability to convert their chances and one  defensive lapse cost them dearly.

Crespo urges Al Ain to stay focused; Al Nassr's Castro not giving up

Tue, 05 Mar, 2024

Crespo urges Al Ain to stay focused; Al Nassr's Castro not giving up

Al Ain: Hernan Crespo has reminded his players that the job is only half done after Al Ain defeated Al Nassr 1-0 in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 quarter-final first leg tie on Monday. 

Soufiane Rahimi’s 44th minute strike separated the sides at the end of 90 minutes but Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr had their fair share of chances and Crespo knows the return leg will be a tough challenge for his side. 

Jackson urges Mariners to keep pushing

Fri, 08 Mar, 2024

Jackson urges Mariners to keep pushing

Gosford: Head coach Mark Jackson wants Central Coast Mariners to continue improving following their 4-0 win against India's Odisha FC in the first leg of their AFC Cup™ 2023/24  Inter-Zone semi-final on Thursday.

The win leaves Mariners comfortably placed heading into the return leg at the Kalinga Stadium next week with Jackson expressing his satisfaction over his team’s confidence and performance.

Abdysh-Ata’s Akhmedov wary of Taichung despite huge lead

Thu, 07 Mar, 2024

Abdysh-Ata’s Akhmedov wary of Taichung despite huge lead

Bishkek: Head coach Islam Akhmedov believes the job is still not done despite FK Abdysh-Ata Kant’s 5-0 win over Chinese Taipei’s Taichung Futuro FC in their AFC Cup™ 2023/24 Inter-Zone semi-final on Wednesday.

The Kyrgyz Republic side were in top form, taking a 2-0 lead going into the break before rounding off the win with three late goals at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium.