Benkhaleq applauds Al Ain’s resilience

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Benkhaleq applauds Al Ain’s resilience

Al Ain: Yahya Benkhaleq praised Al Ain FC for their resilience after the UAE side maintained their perfect start to the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ with a 2-1 win over Tractor FC on Monday.

Benkhaleq’s cross set up Houssine Rahimi’s 70th-minute winner, with the defender saying that Al Ain had to dig deep after their 3-2 extra-time defeat to Shabab Al Ahli in the UAE President’s Cup three days earlier.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-al-ain-fc-uae-2-1-tractor-fc-irn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3200541

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3200543

Wissing proud of Al ittihad’s character

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Wissing proud of Al ittihad’s character

Fergana: Jens Wissing was beaming with pride after Al Ittihad Club came from behind to defeat PFC Neftchi 2-1 in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Monday.

The German tactician was delighted with how his players showed determination and character to keep pushing until the end, with Youssef En-Neysri’s 90th minute strike converting a draw into victory, after Houssem Aouar had pulled them level. 

Preview: Kashima Antlers (JPN) v FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Preview: Kashima Antlers (JPN) v FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Kashima: Kashima Antlers will expect to add to FC Pohang Steelers' woes when the sides clash in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ on Wednesday.

Japan's Kashima remained perfect after two matchdays while Korea Republic's Pohang are still seeking their first points.

Preview: Gamba Osaka (JPN) v Buriram United (THA)

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Preview: Gamba Osaka (JPN) v Buriram United (THA)

Suita: Gamba Osaka will start as favourites against Buriram United when the teams square off in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ on Wednesday.

Japan's Gamba are on a perfect six points while Buriram of Thailand only managed a draw from their opening two matches.

Quest for #AWCL glory to spark with Group Stage showdowns

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Quest for #AWCL glory to spark with Group Stage showdowns

Kuala Lumpur: The hunt for ultimate success in the AFC Women’s Champions League (AWCL) 2026/27™ begins on November 1 (Sunday) when the Group Stage comes to life with the opening matchday.

A cast of 12 contenders will be on show at the third edition of the Continent’s premier women’s club competition and has been split into three groups of four clubs each to contest a single round-robin centralised league that runs until November 7.

Europe Wrap: Iqbal, Lee make their mark

Tue, 27 Oct, 2026

Europe Wrap: Iqbal, Lee make their mark

Kuala Lumpur: Iraq midfielder Zidane Iqbal and Korea Republic’s Lee Jae-sung netted their first goals of the season, with the former in the Scottish Premiership for Dundee United and the latter for the Bundesliga’s Mainz 05. 

Jordan midfielder Mousa Al Tamari claimed his first Europa League goal for Rennes while there were also goals for Japan internationals Shuto Machino, Shogo Taniguchi and Junya Ito, Japan U20’s Shunsuke Saito and Australia’s Zachary Sapsford, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.