Ulsan end Ventforet's run

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Ulsan end Ventforet's run

Tokyo: Ulsan Hyundai booked their place in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League™ 2023-24 as Hong Myung-bo’s side defeated Ventforet Kofu 2-1 in Tokyo on Wednesday to complete a 5-1 aggregate win and set up a clash with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. 

Kim Ji-hyun’s 11th minute goal at Japan’s National Stadium effectively confirmed Ulsan’s progress after winning 3-0 in the first leg in Korea Republic and the 2012 and 2020 champions will now face fellow two-time winners Jeonbuk over two legs next month.

Kazushi Mitsuhiro’s 88th minute header salvaged a consolation for a Kofu side that had become the first second division outfit to reach the last 16 of the continental club championship before Joo Min-kyu sealed victory for Ulsan in injury time.

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Vote for your Continental Goal of the Tournament

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Vote for your Continental Goal of the Tournament

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™ turned out to be a spectacular 18th edition of the prestigious competition, with hosts Qatar lifting their second successive title after an action-packed month of football.

A total of 132 goals were scored in 51 matches across the country at a ratio of 2.59 per match. The-AFC.com selects eight of the finest strikes from the tournament and asks you, the fans, to vote for your favourite at the foot of the article.

ASEAN Zonal Final - Preview: Macarthur FC (AUS) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Thu, 22 Feb, 2024

ASEAN Zonal Final - Preview: Macarthur FC (AUS) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Sydney: It will be a meeting between two Australian sides in good form when Macarthur FC and Central Coast Mariners face off in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 ASEAN Zonal final on Thursday.

Both sides have not only flown the Australian flag proudly in the AFC Cup but are also enjoying good seasons in the A League Men, with defending champions Mariners second in the standings and Macarthur fourth and the domestic rivals will be equally fired up to advance to the Inter-Zone semi-finals, where India's Odisha FC await. 

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3 v 1 Sepahan FC (IRN)

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3 v 1 Sepahan FC (IRN)

Riyadh: Al Hilal SFC will not take Sepahan FC lightly in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 return leg at the Kingdom Arena on Thursday.

Sepahan squandered a first half lead in the first leg, with four-time Asian champions Al Hilal eventually emerging 3-1 winners, courtesy of late goals from Aleksandar Mitrovic and Abdullah Al Hamddan after Malcom had cancelled out Ramin Rezaeian’s opener.

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Ittihad FC (KSA) 0 v 0 Navbahor (UZB)

Fri, 23 Feb, 2024

Preview - R16 2nd Leg: Al Ittihad FC (KSA) 0 v 0 Navbahor (UZB)

Jeddah: Al Ittihad FC will be determined to navigate past Navbahor in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 second leg match on Thursday as the two-time winners aim to reach their first quarter-finals since 2014.

The return leg is finely poised after the first leg ended in a goalless stalemate but reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad will be counting on their record of not having lost to clubs from Uzbekistan in six previous meetings at home to advance at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Petrescu applauds Jeonbuk’s willpower

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Petrescu applauds Jeonbuk’s willpower

Pohang: Head coach Dan Petrescu praised Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for showing composure in their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 second leg draw with fellow K League 1 side Pohang Steelers on Tuesday.

Jeonbuk came from behind to force the 1-1 draw, with the result taking the two-time AFC Champions League winners through to the quarter-finals 3-1 on aggregate.
 
Jeonbuk didn't enjoy the brightest of starts at the Pohang Steel Yard, conceding an early goal to Park Chan-yong in the 12th minute, with Pohang then coming at them with a vengeance.  However, Jeong Tae-wook’s late headed goal meant Petrescu's advanced to the last eight, where they will face either compatriots Ulsan Hyundai or Japan’s Ventforet Kofu.

Choi sets high target for Shandong after ousting Frontale

Wed, 21 Feb, 2024

Choi sets high target for Shandong after ousting Frontale

Kawasaki: Head coach Choi Kang-hee is hopeful that Shandong Taishan’s stunning AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 win against Kawasaki Frontale can act as a springboard for the Chinese Super League side to go the distance.

Shandong erased a 3-2 first leg defeat with a spectacular 4-2 victory at Kawasaki Todoroki Stadium on Tuesday to advance to the quarter-final stage for the third time with the Korean tactician saying he wants his team to aim higher, having never featured in the semi-finals of the continental showpiece.