Kobe’s Yuruki expects more after Shanghai Port masterclass

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Kobe’s Yuruki expects more after Shanghai Port masterclass

Kobe: Koya Yuruki is confident Vissel Kobe can continue raising the bar after leading his team from start to finish in their 4-0 defeat of Shanghai Port in their penultimate AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25  tie on Tuesday.

Yuruki starred with a goal and an assist as Kobe swept past Shanghai with Yoshinori Muto, Yuya Kuwasaki and Yuya Osako also finding the net to confirm the Japanese side their place in the knockout stage.

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Cryzan: Hard work during winter key to Shandong’s triumph

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Cryzan: Hard work during winter key to Shandong’s triumph

Jinan: Cryzan attributed Shandong Taishan FC’s pre-season training in wintry conditions for Tuesday’s 3-1 win against Gwangju FC, a result which has strengthened their claim for a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

The dominant win achieved over the Korea Republic outfit saw Cryzan producing a noteworthy performance in which he assisted Zeca for the second goal after Valeri Qazaishvili had put the China PR side ahead.

Cryzan then put the icing on the cake for Shandong with the third goal in first half added time and the Brazilian wants the win to be the springboard for them to reach the Round of 16.

Frontale make new boss Hasebe proud

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Frontale make new boss Hasebe proud

Pohang: Head coach Shigetoshi Hasebe had a debut to remember after he guided Kawasaki Frontale to a 4-0 success against FC Pohang Steelers as his new side marched into the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 on Tuesday.

Frontale were impressive in Hasebe’s first competitive outing since replacing the legendary Toru Oniki, with the Japanese side ending Pohang’s three-match winning streak at home in the competition as they sealed progression with a game to spare.

Bidoglio confident JDT will progress

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

Bidoglio confident JDT will progress

Gosford: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) head coach Hector Bidoglio is confident the 2-1 win over Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday will be the platform for qualification to the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

The Malaysian champions took a significant step towards a place in the Round of 16 as the win - their first on the road this season - took them to 11 points, leaving destiny in their own hands ahead of a crunch final League Stage fixture against FC Pohang Steelers next week.

#AFCU17 graduates aiming to shine at China 2025

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

#AFCU17 graduates aiming to shine at China 2025

Shenzhen: The AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 kicks off on Wednesday, with 16 teams hoping to lay their hands on the coveted trophy.

Of the 368 players set to showcase their skills over the coming days, 69 (19%) were also part of the AFC U17 Asian Cup™ Thailand 2023, presenting us with some interesting stats.

MD7: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 0-4 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) 0-4 Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Pohang: Kawasaki Frontale booked their berth in the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 with a 4-0 win against 10-man FC Pohang Steelers on Tuesday.

The win took Frontale up to 15 points, sealing their progress to the Round of 16 as they are assured of a top eight finish while Pohang’s fate will be decided in their final match next week.

MD7: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 1-2 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 1-2 Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Gosford: Debutant Alvaro Gonzalez scored twice in the second half as Johor Darul Ta’zim secured a 2-1 win over 10-man Central Coast Mariners in Gosford on Tuesday to move the Malaysian side closer to a berth in the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

The Spaniard netted in the 64th and 79th minutes to earn JDT their first away win in the competition after Mariners goalkeeper Dylan Peraic-Cullen had been sent off in first half injury time and Alou Kuol cancelled out Gonzalez’s opener.

The victory moved JDT onto 11 points from seven matches and the Malaysia Super League champions have to defeat FC Pohang Steelers next week to be absolutely sure of advancing to the next round.

R16, 1st Leg: Al Hussein (JOR) 0-1 Sharjah FC (UAE)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

R16, 1st Leg: Al Hussein (JOR) 0-1 Sharjah FC (UAE)

Amman: Caio Lucas’ first half strike secured Sharjah FC a valuable 1-0 win over Jordan’s Al Hussein in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie at the Amman International Stadium on Tuesday.

Victory was well deserved as Sharjah dominated the tie and the UAE side will be confident of completing their task in next week’s return leg at home. 

R16, 1st Leg: Al Khaldiya SC (BHR) 1-2 Tractor FC (IRN)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

R16, 1st Leg: Al Khaldiya SC (BHR) 1-2 Tractor FC (IRN)

Riffa: Tractor FC will take a 2-1 lead into the second leg of their AFC Champions League Two™ 2024/25 Round of 16 meeting with Bahrain’s Al Khaldiya SC next week after the side from the Islamic Republic of Iran fought back to claim a narrow victory in Riffa on Tuesday.

Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh and Domagoj Drozdek struck for the side from Tabriz in the 50th and 55th minutes respectively after Mohamed Al Romaihi had given the hosts a 48th minute lead in a tense clash. The pair meet again in Tabriz’s Sahand Stadium next Tuesday.

MD7: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 3-1 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 3-1 Gwangju FC (KOR)

Jinan: Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan produced a stunning performance to cruise 3-1 past Gwangju FC of Korea Republic on Tuesday to revive their hopes of reaching the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage.

The win moved Shandong up to 10 points and they must win their Matchday Eight fixture against Korea Republic’s Ulsan HD next week to stand a chance of advancing.

Defeat left Gwangju rooted on 13 points but they sealed their spot in the Round of 16 as they are assured of a top eight finish. Also through from the East Zone following Tuesday's results were Japanese trio Vissel Kobe, Yokohama F. Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale.

MD7: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 4-0 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

MD7: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 4-0 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Kobe: Hosts Vissel Kobe handed Shanghai Port a crushing 4-0 defeat on Tuesday as the J1 League champions confirmed their progress to the knockout rounds of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

Yoshinori Muto, Yuya Kuwasaki, Koya Yuruki and Yuya Osako were all on target for Takayuki Yoshida’s side while Shanghai Port goalkeeper Yan Junling saved a penalty from Osako in a one-sided display at Kobe Wing Stadium.

The win moves the Japanese outfit onto 16 points from their seven games so far and guarantees the 2020 semi-finalists a place in the last 16 with one round of matches remaining.

Shanghai Port, meanwhile, will have to wait until their final group phase match against Yokohama F. Marinos next Wednesday to add to their eight points as Kevin Muscat’s side attempt to progress as well.