#ACLElite - League Stage in numbers

Fri, 20 Feb, 2026

#ACLElite - League Stage in numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ is heading into the business end following the conclusion of the League Stage this past week.

As the remaining 16 teams plot the next phase of their challenge, the-AC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from the highly thrilling League Stage.

Chung hails Gangwon’s resilience; Melbourne's Vidmar pleased with finish

Thu, 19 Feb, 2026

Chung hails Gangwon’s resilience; Melbourne's Vidmar pleased with finish

Melbourne: Gangwon head coach Chung Kyung-ho expressed pride after Gangwon FC secured a place in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 on Wednesday. 

A disciplined defensive display saw Chung's side hold Melbourne City FC to an away draw as debutants Gangwon advanced at the expense of fellow Korea Republic side and two-time winners Ulsan HD FC. 

Ulsan’s Kim sees hope despite exit

Thu, 19 Feb, 2026

Ulsan’s Kim sees hope despite exit

Shanghai: Head coach Kim Hyeon-seog chose to look at the positives after his Ulsan HD FC’s goalless draw with Shanghai Port FC on Wednesday meant elimination from the AFC Champions League Two  2025/26™.

The two-time champions were pipped to the final Round of 16 spot by Gangwon FC, with their fellow Korea Republic side advancing on superior goal difference. 

Munoz hails JDT’s character

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Munoz hails JDT’s character

Iskandar Puteri: Johor Darul Ta’zim head coach Xisco Munoz praised his players for continuing to believe in the hard-fought 1-0 win over Vissel Kobe on Tuesday which secured a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ for the Malaysian side.

Marcos Guilherme’s 73rd-minute strike proved decisive as JDT advanced from the League Stage for the second successive season.

Conceicao calls for Al Ittihad focus; Al Sadd’s Mancini glad to advance

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Conceicao calls for Al Ittihad focus; Al Sadd’s Mancini glad to advance

Doha: Sergio Conceicao believes his Al Ittihad Club are on the right track after concluding their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ league phase campaign with a statement 4-1 win against Al Sadd SC on Tuesday.

The Portuguese tactician, however, is demanding laser-focus from his team as the former Porto FC head coach begins charting plans for a Round of 16 tie against United Arab Emirates’s Al Wahda FC.

Hosseinzadeh pleased with Tractor’s strong finish

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Hosseinzadeh pleased with Tractor’s strong finish

Al Rayyan: Goalscorer Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh hailed Tractor FC’s top-notch performance after the Islamic Republic of Iran side concluded their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ league phase with a 2-0 win against Al Gharafa SC on Tuesday.

Goalless in the first half, the already-qualified Tractor put the squeeze on Qatar’s Al Gharafa in the second half to snuff out their qualification hopes with Hosseinzadeh's 81st minute goal settling the contest after Mahdi Hashemnezhad had opened the scoring 20 minutes earlier.