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. 

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-1st-leg-johor-darul-ta’zim-fc-mas-3-1-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn

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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.

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.

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. 

Mai applauds Vietnam’s tenacity; Valverde rues India’s missed opportunity

Wed, 04 Mar, 2026

Mai applauds Vietnam’s tenacity; Valverde rues India’s missed opportunity

Perth: Mai Duc Chung hailed his players’ composure after Ngan Thi Van Su’s brace secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over India in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group C tie at the Perth Rectangular Stadium on Wednesday.

The Vietnam head coach never doubted his players’ determination to push for the win, even after India had equalised midway through the second half.

Nielsen expects a sharper Japan; Chinese Taipei’s Prasobchoke satisfied despite defeat

Thu, 05 Mar, 2026

Nielsen expects a sharper Japan; Chinese Taipei’s Prasobchoke satisfied despite defeat

Perth: Head coach Nils Nielsen, while pleased with Japan’s composure against defensive-minded Chinese Taipei, admitted his side could have done more in their AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026™ Group C opener on Wednesday.

Chinese Taipei weathered wave after wave of pressure but ultimately succumbed as Momoko Tanikawa and Kiko Seike struck in the second half to secure the two-time champions a 2-0 win at the Perth Rectangular Stadium.

Nielsen acknowledged there was still room for improvement, with Japan registering a whopping 30 attempts on goal.