Al Sadd must improve, admits Sanchez

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Al Sadd must improve, admits Sanchez

Doha: Felix Sanchez has challenged his players to lift their performance after Al Sadd SC were held to a 1-1 draw by Sharjah FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 on Tuesday.

Continental champions in 2011, Al Sadd took the lead through the mercurial Akram Afif but were subsequently pegged back by Caio Fernandes’ equaliser as the Qatari side settled for a second successive draw.

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Sousa: Shabab Al Ahli were outstanding

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Sousa: Shabab Al Ahli were outstanding

Jeddah: Head coach Paulo Sousa said Shabab Al Ahli were deserving winners against Al Ittihad Club following their 1-0 victory in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 on Tuesday.

Saeid Ezatolahi’s first half header earned the UAE side victory as they moved up to four points while Saudi Arabian champions Al Ittihad were left reeling after suffering their second successive defeat.  

Draw a fair result for Kuroda, Munoz

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Draw a fair result for Kuroda, Munoz

Iskandar Puteri: Go Kuroda and Xisco Munoz both viewed the goalless stalemate between Johor Darul Ta’zim FC and FC Machida Zelvia in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 tie on Tuesday as a point earned rather than two dropped.

The sides produced a total of 25 shots between them, showing their attacking intentions but were let down by a lack of quality, with Machida’s Yuki Soma also missing a 23rd minute penalty.

Kuroda, in expressing satisfaction with his team’s performance, was also pleased with Machida’s ability to contain JDT’s attacking threat as the Japanese side stayed unbeaten in their maiden continental adventure.

Chow inspires Chengdu to maiden home triumph

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Chow inspires Chengdu to maiden home triumph

Chengdu: Captain Tim Chow hailed a ‘dream moment’ as Chengdu Rongcheng FC marked their first home appearance in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 with a 1-0 victory over Korea Republic’s Gangwon FC on Tuesday.

Chow’s decisive strike in the first half steered Chengdu to the first three points of their campaign following their opening day defeat to Ulsan HD FC.

Choi hails teammates after FC Seoul pass Buriram test

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Choi hails teammates after FC Seoul pass Buriram test

Seoul: Choi Jun credited his teammates for his sterling role in FC Seoul’s 3-0 win over Thailand’s Buriram United in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 on Tuesday.

The 24-year-old defender struck in the 38th minute to put his side in control with Jeong Seung-won adding the second in first-half added time. Lucas Silva's 67th minute effort then confirmed Seoul their first win, with the Korea Republic side having played to a 1-1 draw with FC Machida Zelvia in their opener.

Muscat pleased, Skibbe disappointed

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Muscat pleased, Skibbe disappointed

Hiroshima: Head coach Kevin Muscat was pleased with his side’s character after Shanghai Port FC recovered from a goal down to earn a 1-1 draw with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 on Tuesday.

The China PR champions fell behind to Hayato Araki’s first-half strike but Gabriel Souza netted late to ensure the visitors left Japan with a valuable point, having suffered a 3-0 defeat to Vissel Kobe in their opening match.