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#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st Leg: What they said

Sat, 07 Mar, 2026

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st Leg: What they said

Kuala Lumpur: The first leg of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 (East) lived up to expectations.

The four matches had more than their fair share of exciting moments as some teams took a step towards the knockout stage while others were left with a mountain to climb.

The-AFC.com listened to what was said after the pulsating matches.

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st leg: In Numbers

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st leg: In Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ moved a step closer to its climax with the first leg of the East Zone's Round of 16 contested this past week.

The four matches were not only highly competitive but hugely entertaining as well and the-AFC.com takes a look at some fascinating facts and figures from the absorbing encounters.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-1st-leg-johor-darul-ta’zim-fc-mas-3-1-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn

JDT’s Munoz upbeat; Sanfrecce’s Gaul relishing return leg

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

JDT’s Munoz upbeat; Sanfrecce’s Gaul relishing return leg

Iskandar Puteri: Xisco Munoz heaped praise on his players after Johor Darul Ta’zim took a significant step towards a place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ quarter-finals with a 3-1 win against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

It was a magical night for the home fans at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium as strikes from Ager Aketxe, Bergson and Marcos Guilherme gave the Malaysian champions a 3-0 lead before Nene’s own goal narrowed the margin as JDT moved closer to a first-ever quarter-final appearance. 

Vissel delight Skibbe; Kim confident of Seoul turn around

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Vissel delight Skibbe; Kim confident of Seoul turn around

Seoul: Michael Skibbe expressed satisfaction after his Vissel Kobe side edged FC Seoul 1-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 first leg tie on Wednesday.

Matheus Thuler’s first half strike gave the Japanese outfit a lead to defend in next week’s return leg with Skibbe vowing that Vissel will be ready for another all-out contest.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-1st-leg-fc-seoul-kor-0-1-vissel-kobe-jpn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-1st-leg-johor-darul-tazim-mas-v-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn

R16 - 1st Leg: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 3-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

R16 - 1st Leg: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 3-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Iskandar Puteri: Goals from Ager Aketxe, Bergson da Silva and Marcus Guilherme secured Johor Darul Ta’zim a 3-1 win over 10-man Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday to put the Malaysian side in control of their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 tie with the J-League side.

Kim Joo-sung’s 26th minute sending off hampered the prospects of the visitors with Aketxe putting his side in front in the 52nd minute before goals from Bergson and Guilherme in the 63rd and 85th minutes respectively moved JDT into a commanding position.
 
Nene’s own goal allowed Hiroshima to pull one back with four minutes remaining and give the visitors reason to be hopeful ahead of the second leg in Japan next week.

R16 - 1st Leg: FC Seoul (KOR) 0-1 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

R16 - 1st Leg: FC Seoul (KOR) 0-1 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Seoul: Brazilian defender Matheus Thuler headed in from close range to earn Vissel Kobe a 1-0 win over FC Seoul in the first leg of the J1 League side’s AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 clash at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Wednesday.

The Japanese outfit, attempting to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2022, will take a narrow advantage into the second leg in Kobe next week after goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa saved a 66th minute penalty from FC Seoul substitute Leonardo Ruiz.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-1st-leg-fc-seoul-kor-v-vissel-kobe-jpn

Chung, Kuroda optimistic of getting job done in return leg

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Chung, Kuroda optimistic of getting job done in return leg

Chuncheon: Gangwon FC head coach Chung Kyung-ho and his FC Machida Zelvia counterpart  Go Kuroda were equally pleased despite their sides sharing a goalless draw in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Gangwon should have been the more disappointed as they failed to capitalise on home ground advantage but Chung, in praising his side’s performance, promised an improved showing in next week’s return leg. 

Vidmar confident of Melbourne's chances; Buriram's Jackson hurting

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Vidmar confident of Melbourne's chances; Buriram's Jackson hurting

Melbourne: Head coach Tony Vidmar believes Ben Mazzeo’s stoppage time goal can give Melbourne City FC the belief to go on and qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after seeing his side share a 1-1 draw with Buriram United on Tuesday.

Mazzeo’s header from Marcus Younis’ pinpoint cross in the fifth minute of second-half added time cancelled out Guilherme Bissoli’s stunning 37th minute strike for the visitors at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday to leave the tie finely poised ahead of the return meeting in Thailand next week.

Videos

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st Leg: What they said

Sat, 07 Mar, 2026

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st Leg: What they said

Kuala Lumpur: The first leg of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 (East) lived up to expectations.

The four matches had more than their fair share of exciting moments as some teams took a step towards the knockout stage while others were left with a mountain to climb.

The-AFC.com listened to what was said after the pulsating matches.

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st leg: In Numbers

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st leg: In Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ moved a step closer to its climax with the first leg of the East Zone's Round of 16 contested this past week.

The four matches were not only highly competitive but hugely entertaining as well and the-AFC.com takes a look at some fascinating facts and figures from the absorbing encounters.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-1st-leg-johor-darul-ta’zim-fc-mas-3-1-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn

JDT’s Munoz upbeat; Sanfrecce’s Gaul relishing return leg

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

JDT’s Munoz upbeat; Sanfrecce’s Gaul relishing return leg

Iskandar Puteri: Xisco Munoz heaped praise on his players after Johor Darul Ta’zim took a significant step towards a place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ quarter-finals with a 3-1 win against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

It was a magical night for the home fans at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium as strikes from Ager Aketxe, Bergson and Marcos Guilherme gave the Malaysian champions a 3-0 lead before Nene’s own goal narrowed the margin as JDT moved closer to a first-ever quarter-final appearance. 

Vissel delight Skibbe; Kim confident of Seoul turn around

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Vissel delight Skibbe; Kim confident of Seoul turn around

Seoul: Michael Skibbe expressed satisfaction after his Vissel Kobe side edged FC Seoul 1-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 first leg tie on Wednesday.

Matheus Thuler’s first half strike gave the Japanese outfit a lead to defend in next week’s return leg with Skibbe vowing that Vissel will be ready for another all-out contest.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-1st-leg-fc-seoul-kor-0-1-vissel-kobe-jpn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-1st-leg-johor-darul-tazim-mas-v-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn

R16 - 1st Leg: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 3-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

R16 - 1st Leg: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 3-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Iskandar Puteri: Goals from Ager Aketxe, Bergson da Silva and Marcus Guilherme secured Johor Darul Ta’zim a 3-1 win over 10-man Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday to put the Malaysian side in control of their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 tie with the J-League side.

Kim Joo-sung’s 26th minute sending off hampered the prospects of the visitors with Aketxe putting his side in front in the 52nd minute before goals from Bergson and Guilherme in the 63rd and 85th minutes respectively moved JDT into a commanding position.
 
Nene’s own goal allowed Hiroshima to pull one back with four minutes remaining and give the visitors reason to be hopeful ahead of the second leg in Japan next week.

R16 - 1st Leg: FC Seoul (KOR) 0-1 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

R16 - 1st Leg: FC Seoul (KOR) 0-1 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Seoul: Brazilian defender Matheus Thuler headed in from close range to earn Vissel Kobe a 1-0 win over FC Seoul in the first leg of the J1 League side’s AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 clash at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Wednesday.

The Japanese outfit, attempting to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2022, will take a narrow advantage into the second leg in Kobe next week after goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa saved a 66th minute penalty from FC Seoul substitute Leonardo Ruiz.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-1st-leg-fc-seoul-kor-v-vissel-kobe-jpn

Chung, Kuroda optimistic of getting job done in return leg

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Chung, Kuroda optimistic of getting job done in return leg

Chuncheon: Gangwon FC head coach Chung Kyung-ho and his FC Machida Zelvia counterpart  Go Kuroda were equally pleased despite their sides sharing a goalless draw in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Gangwon should have been the more disappointed as they failed to capitalise on home ground advantage but Chung, in praising his side’s performance, promised an improved showing in next week’s return leg. 

Vidmar confident of Melbourne's chances; Buriram's Jackson hurting

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Vidmar confident of Melbourne's chances; Buriram's Jackson hurting

Melbourne: Head coach Tony Vidmar believes Ben Mazzeo’s stoppage time goal can give Melbourne City FC the belief to go on and qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after seeing his side share a 1-1 draw with Buriram United on Tuesday.

Mazzeo’s header from Marcus Younis’ pinpoint cross in the fifth minute of second-half added time cancelled out Guilherme Bissoli’s stunning 37th minute strike for the visitors at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday to leave the tie finely poised ahead of the return meeting in Thailand next week.

Photos

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st Leg: What they said

Sat, 07 Mar, 2026

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st Leg: What they said

Kuala Lumpur: The first leg of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 (East) lived up to expectations.

The four matches had more than their fair share of exciting moments as some teams took a step towards the knockout stage while others were left with a mountain to climb.

The-AFC.com listened to what was said after the pulsating matches.

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st leg: In Numbers

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

#ACLElite - R16 (East) 1st leg: In Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ moved a step closer to its climax with the first leg of the East Zone's Round of 16 contested this past week.

The four matches were not only highly competitive but hugely entertaining as well and the-AFC.com takes a look at some fascinating facts and figures from the absorbing encounters.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-1st-leg-johor-darul-ta’zim-fc-mas-3-1-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn

JDT’s Munoz upbeat; Sanfrecce’s Gaul relishing return leg

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

JDT’s Munoz upbeat; Sanfrecce’s Gaul relishing return leg

Iskandar Puteri: Xisco Munoz heaped praise on his players after Johor Darul Ta’zim took a significant step towards a place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ quarter-finals with a 3-1 win against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

It was a magical night for the home fans at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium as strikes from Ager Aketxe, Bergson and Marcos Guilherme gave the Malaysian champions a 3-0 lead before Nene’s own goal narrowed the margin as JDT moved closer to a first-ever quarter-final appearance. 

Vissel delight Skibbe; Kim confident of Seoul turn around

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Vissel delight Skibbe; Kim confident of Seoul turn around

Seoul: Michael Skibbe expressed satisfaction after his Vissel Kobe side edged FC Seoul 1-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 first leg tie on Wednesday.

Matheus Thuler’s first half strike gave the Japanese outfit a lead to defend in next week’s return leg with Skibbe vowing that Vissel will be ready for another all-out contest.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-1st-leg-fc-seoul-kor-0-1-vissel-kobe-jpn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-1st-leg-johor-darul-tazim-mas-v-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn

R16 - 1st Leg: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 3-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

R16 - 1st Leg: Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS) 3-1 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN)

Iskandar Puteri: Goals from Ager Aketxe, Bergson da Silva and Marcus Guilherme secured Johor Darul Ta’zim a 3-1 win over 10-man Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday to put the Malaysian side in control of their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 tie with the J-League side.

Kim Joo-sung’s 26th minute sending off hampered the prospects of the visitors with Aketxe putting his side in front in the 52nd minute before goals from Bergson and Guilherme in the 63rd and 85th minutes respectively moved JDT into a commanding position.
 
Nene’s own goal allowed Hiroshima to pull one back with four minutes remaining and give the visitors reason to be hopeful ahead of the second leg in Japan next week.

R16 - 1st Leg: FC Seoul (KOR) 0-1 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

R16 - 1st Leg: FC Seoul (KOR) 0-1 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Seoul: Brazilian defender Matheus Thuler headed in from close range to earn Vissel Kobe a 1-0 win over FC Seoul in the first leg of the J1 League side’s AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 clash at Seoul World Cup Stadium on Wednesday.

The Japanese outfit, attempting to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2022, will take a narrow advantage into the second leg in Kobe next week after goalkeeper Daiya Maekawa saved a 66th minute penalty from FC Seoul substitute Leonardo Ruiz.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-1st-leg-fc-seoul-kor-v-vissel-kobe-jpn

Chung, Kuroda optimistic of getting job done in return leg

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Chung, Kuroda optimistic of getting job done in return leg

Chuncheon: Gangwon FC head coach Chung Kyung-ho and his FC Machida Zelvia counterpart  Go Kuroda were equally pleased despite their sides sharing a goalless draw in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Gangwon should have been the more disappointed as they failed to capitalise on home ground advantage but Chung, in praising his side’s performance, promised an improved showing in next week’s return leg. 

Vidmar confident of Melbourne's chances; Buriram's Jackson hurting

Tue, 03 Mar, 2026

Vidmar confident of Melbourne's chances; Buriram's Jackson hurting

Melbourne: Head coach Tony Vidmar believes Ben Mazzeo’s stoppage time goal can give Melbourne City FC the belief to go on and qualify for the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after seeing his side share a 1-1 draw with Buriram United on Tuesday.

Mazzeo’s header from Marcus Younis’ pinpoint cross in the fifth minute of second-half added time cancelled out Guilherme Bissoli’s stunning 37th minute strike for the visitors at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium on Tuesday to leave the tie finely poised ahead of the return meeting in Thailand next week.