Jebel optimistic despite Air Force SC's losing start

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Jebel optimistic despite Air Force SC's losing start

Fergana: Fethi Jebel l had no complaints despite seeing his Air Force SC side falling to a 1-0 defeat against PFC Neftchi in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Monday.

Zoran Marusic’s late header earned Uzbekistan's Neftchi a 1-0 victory, with Iraq's Air Force left to rue defeat despite producing a good performance.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-pfc-neftchi-uzb-1-0-air-force-sc-irq

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3192329

Preview: Port FC (THA) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Preview: Port FC (THA) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thammasat: Port FC will have to be at their best when they face Vissel Kobe in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Wednesday.

Thailand's Port are featuring in the competition for just the second time while Japan's Vissel are chasing the title after several near misses.

Preview: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) v Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Preview: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) v Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

Jeonju: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC and  Kashiwa Reysol will be focused on avoiding mistakes when they meet in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Wednesday.

A winning start will be a tremendous boost for both teams' hopes of advancing to the Round of 16, setting the stage for a thrilling tie between two East Asian rivals.

MD1: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-1 Pakhtakor (UZB)

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

MD1: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-1 Pakhtakor (UZB)

Jeddah: Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC needed a stoppage-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw against Pakhtakor in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Monday.

Goalkeeper Vladimir Nazarov produced a string of saves to frustrate the two-time winners before Flamarion put Pakhtakor ahead five minutes from time, only for Firas Al Brikan to rescue Al Ahli in the third minute of stoppage time. 

MD1: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 3-0 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

MD1: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 3-0 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Basra: Esteghlal FC took advantage of their chances to overcome Qatar’s Al Sadd SC 3-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener at the Basra International Stadium on Monday. 

Jasir Asani capitalised on a defensive error to fire the Islamic Republic of Iran outfit ahead in the ninth minute before Saeid Saharkhizan extended their lead two minutes after the break and Esmaeil Gholizadeh sealed the match five minutes into injury time.

In a match largely dominated by the 19-time Qatar Stars League champions, Razvan Lucescu’s side were let down by poor finishing, with only one shot on target and a goal overturned by VAR.

Europe Wrap: Ueda, Sano lead Asian charge

Mon, 14 Sep, 2026

Europe Wrap: Ueda, Sano lead Asian charge

Kuala Lumpur: Samurai Blue striker Ayase Ueda netted in his UEFA Champions League debut for Ligue 1 side Lille while fellow international Kodai Sano struck his first goal of the season for PSV in the Eredivisie. 

There was also an unexpected goalkeeping assist from Japan’s Taishi Nozawa in the Belgian Pro League and other starring Continental performances, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.