#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.

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.

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.

QF (1st Leg): Bangkok United (THA) 2-1 Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)

Fri, 06 Mar, 2026

QF (1st Leg): Bangkok United (THA) 2-1 Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)

Pathum Thani: Bangkok United had to settle for a 2-1 win against Tampines Rovers in their AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ quarter-final first leg tie on Thursday.

Goals from Nebojsa Kosovic and Picha Autra gave Bangkok the advantage before Trent Buhagiar reduced the deficit for Tampines to set up an intriguing return leg at the Jalan Besar Stadium next week.