Blunt attack a concern for Al Rayyan’s Ali, Persepolis’ Hosseini

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Blunt attack a concern for Al Rayyan’s Ali, Persepolis’ Hosseini

Al Rayyan: Inefficiency in front of goal is becoming a major concern for Al Rayyan SC and Persepolis FC as the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 heads into the business end.

Monday’s 1-1 draw saw both sides spurning numerous chances with Al Rayyan head coach Younes Ali admitting his side’s finishing was below par.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-al-rayyan-sc-qat-1-1-persepolis-fc-irn

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3058749

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3058755

Pioli hails clinical Al Nassr

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Pioli hails clinical Al Nassr

Al Khor: Al Nassr Club head coach Stefano Pioli lauded his team’s clinical performance following their commanding 3-1 victory over Al Gharafa, as the Saudi Arabian side moved a  step closer to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

After a tepid first half, Pioli’s charges stamped their authority after the break, Cristiano Ronaldo netting a brace with Angelo also finding the target as the Saudi Arabian side moved to 13 points and all but confirming their ticket to the next round. 

Stalemate disappointment for Esteghlal’s Mosimane, Pakhtakor’s Shatskykh

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Stalemate disappointment for Esteghlal’s Mosimane, Pakhtakor’s Shatskykh

Dubai: Esteghlal FC’s Pitso Mosimane and Maksym Shatskykh of Pakhtakor were left counting the cost of a goalless draw following their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 match on Monday.

With only seven spots left after Al Ahli Saudi FC’s qualification, time is fast running out for both Mosimane and Shatskykh as they seek to navigate their respective sides into the knockout stage.

It is Al Ahli Saudi who Mosimane has to plot against on Matchday Six next week as the head coach from South Africa rued Monday’s dropped points.

Al Ahli Saudi’s Jaissle wants reinforcements despite perfect run

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Al Ahli Saudi’s Jaissle wants reinforcements despite perfect run

Al Ain: Matthias Jaissle is eyeing reinforcements after Al Ahli Saudi FC became the first team to book their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage spot on Monday.

Second half substitute Ivan Toney scored twice in four minutes as Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli defeated Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates 2-1 to not only stay perfect with five wins but also secure their Round of 16 spot with three matches to spare. 

Preview - MD5: Gwangju FC (KOR) v Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD5: Gwangju FC (KOR) v Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN)

Gwangju: Gwangju FC will target a return to winning ways when they welcome Shanghai Shenhua FC for their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 clash on Wednesday..

The Korea Republic side's perfect start to their debut continental campaign was ended by a 2-0 defeat to Japan's Vissel Kobe on Matchday Four, with the Japanese team taking top spot at the expense of Gwangju.

Preview - MD5: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Wed, 27 Nov, 2024

Preview - MD5: Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) v FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Yokohama: Yokohama F. Marinos will be counting on their impressive home record to bag full points against FC Pohang Steelers in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Wednesday.

Despite a dreadful start to their campaign, Marinos ended Matchday Four third in the standings on seven points with Pohang one adrift in seventh spot.

MD5: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) 1-1 Persepolis FC (IRN)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

MD5: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) 1-1 Persepolis FC (IRN)

Al Rayyan: Qatar’s Al Rayyan SC fought back to hold Persepolis FC of Islamic Republic of Iran to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 match on Monday.

Al Rayyan put aside their indifferent domestic form and showed plenty of determination to earn the fourth point of their campaign while Persepolis are one adrift, with the top eight teams to advance from the West Zone to the knockout stage.

MD5: Al Gharafa (QAT) 1-3 Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

MD5: Al Gharafa (QAT) 1-3 Al Nassr Club (KSA)

Al Khor: Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr Club edged closer to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage with a 3-1 win against Al Gharafa of Qatar at the Al Bayt Stadium on Monday.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened Al Nassr’s account with a towering header a minute after the break before adding his second in the 64th minute following Angelo’s 58th minute strike. Joselu pulled one back for Al Gharafa but Al Nassr held firm to move to 13 points.

MD5: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 0-0 Pakhtakor (UZB)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

MD5: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 0-0 Pakhtakor (UZB)

Dubai: Esteghlal FC and Pakhtakor’s struggles continued after they played to a goalless stalemate in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Monday.

It was a result which suited neither side with Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal moving to four points with Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor one behind with only the top eight teams to advance to the knockout stage.

MD5: Al Ain FC (UAE) 1-2 Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

MD5: Al Ain FC (UAE) 1-2 Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Al Ain: Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC became the first team to book their spot in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 after defeating Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates 2-1 at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

England international Ivan Toney stepped off the bench to score twice in four minutes to maintain Al Ahli’s perfect start to the competition, Matthias Jaissle’s side moving onto 15 points from the first five games to guarantee their progress to the last 16 following Monday's other results.

The result leaves reigning continental champions Al Ain, playing their first game in the competition under new boss Leonardo Jardim, rooted to the bottom of the standings in West Asia and, with three matches remaining, their hopes of going through to the next phase of the competition are rapidly disappearing.

The top eight finishers in the 12-team leagues on each side of the continent progress to the Round of 16 and, while Al Ahli moved into pole position with the win on Monday, the side from the United Arab Emirates are three points adrift of the qualification places.

Europe Wrap: Mitoma, Furuhashi star for Brighton, Celtic

Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Europe Wrap: Mitoma, Furuhashi star for Brighton, Celtic

Kuala Lumpur: Kaoru Mitoma scored as Brighton stayed hot in the English Premier League with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth on Saturday.

Kyogo Furuhashi continued his fine form for Celtic as the Japanese international opened the scoring in their 4-1 win over Hearts.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how Asia's stars fared in selected European leagues this past week.