#ACLElite - R16, 2nd Leg: Five takeaways

Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

#ACLElite - R16, 2nd Leg: Five takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: The cast for the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/25 quarter-finals was finalised following the conclusion of a thrilling Round of 16, second leg this past week.

As the eight teams eagerly await Monday's draw, which will be held at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from the Round of 16's return leg.

#ACLElite draw to reveal epic Finals showdowns

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

#ACLElite draw to reveal epic Finals showdowns

Kuala Lumpur: The remaining contenders for the Continent’s ultimate club prize will discover their last-eight fate on Monday, March 17 at 3pm at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

The draw for the AFC Champions League Elite™ Finals Jeddah 2025 will chart the path from the Quarter Finals to the showpiece Final, with all seven highly-anticipated battles to take place in a unique centralised format between April 25 and May 3 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Asani: Strong mindset took Gwangju to victory

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Asani: Strong mindset took Gwangju to victory

Gwangju: A delighted Jasir Asani praised Gwangju FC’s perseverance after the Korea Republic side defeated Japan’s Vissel Kobe to advance to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals on Wednesday.

Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, the Albanian forward admitted that tournament debutants were under pressure but their focused mindset saw them achieving a remarkable 3-0 win, with Asani scoring twice - including a stunning winning goal deep into extra time. 

Hasebe proud as Frontale’s quality comes to the fore

Thu, 13 Mar, 2025

Hasebe proud as Frontale’s quality comes to the fore

Kawasaki: Head coach Higetoshi Hasebe applauded Kawasaki Frontale’s perfect performance after the Japanese side overwhelmed Shanghai Shenhua 4-0 at Todoroki Stadium to overturn a first-leg deficit and secure a place in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals.

Trailing 1-0 after the first leg, Frontale responded with a dominant display as goals from Asahi Sasaki, Erison, Tatsuya Ito and Marcinho sealed an emphatic win on Wednesday.

Al Hilal’s Jesus craving for glory

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Al Hilal’s Jesus craving for glory

Riyadh: The dream to lift aloft the AFC Champions League Elite™ trophy is providing the motivation for head coach Jorge Jesus to keep pushing his Al Hilal SFC side after they recovered from a first leg defeat to advance into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 aggregate against Pakhtakor on Tuesday.

Despite an unbeaten league-winning 2023/24 season, the semi-final exit to Al Ain FC in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 is a disappointment Jesus is determined to erase as he looks to add Asian continental success to his Copa Libertadores triumph with Flamengo in 2019.

Jaissle, Mahrez confident of Al Ahli's chances

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Jaissle, Mahrez confident of Al Ahli's chances

Jeddah: Head coach Matthias Jaissle and star forward Riyad Mahrez are confident Al Ahli Saudi FC can go all the way in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 after completing a 5-1 aggregate win over Al Rayyan SC to clinch their place in the quarter-finals.

Al Ahli continue to be the most in-form team in the competition with Tuesday’s win in front of approximately 45,000 fans at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium being their ninth victory in 10 matches.

We could have done better, says Buriram's Loss

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

We could have done better, says Buriram's Loss

Johor Bahru: Osmar Loss believes there is more to come from his Buriram United side after they sealed their spot in the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 quarter-finals with a 1-0 win against Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) on Tuesday.

Suphanat Mueanta's 58th minute strike secured Thailand's Buriram a 1-0 win on the night and on aggregate as they sealed a return to the quarter-finals for the first time since 2013.

Lopes: Title in Marinos’ reach

Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Lopes: Title in Marinos’ reach

Yokohama: Anderson Lopes expressed confidence about Yokohama F. Marinos’ title chances after his brace powered the Japanese side to a commanding 4-1 victory over Shanghai Port on Tuesday, securing a 5-1 aggregate win and a spot in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-finals.

The 2023-2024 runners-up took a 3-1 lead going into the break with Lopes saying their ability to finish their chances proved to be the difference. 

Duran: Al Nassr can only get better

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

Duran: Al Nassr can only get better

Riyadh: Jhon Duran is determined to play his part in taking Al Nassr Club all the way after the Colombian starred with two goals in their 3-1 win against Esteghal FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 on Monday.

Held to a goalless draw in last week’s first leg, Duran netted the first and third goals with Cristiano Ronaldo converting a penalty as Al Nassr matched last season’s feat of qualifying for the quarter-finals. 

It was a thoroughly convincing performance and Duran warned that Al Nassr will be a force in the quarter-finals. 

We were excellent, says Al Sadd’s Sanchez

Tue, 11 Mar, 2025

We were excellent, says Al Sadd’s Sanchez

Doha: Felix Sanchez was a delighted head coach after his Al Sadd SC side showed their true colours to come from behind to defeat Al Wasl FC 3-1 on the night and 4-2 on aggregate to take their place in Monday’s AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 quarter-final draw.

Apart from the opening 10 minutes when they  were put under tremendous pressure by the UAE side, Akram Aff-led Al Sadd produced a dominant performance with Sanchez now eyeing an extended run in the competition.