Machida’s Yengi revels in first start

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Machida’s Yengi revels in first start

Machida: Tete Yengi was delighted with his first start for FC Machida Zelvia after grabbing a brace in the 3-2 win against China PR’s Chengdu Rongcheng FC on Tuesday to fire the Japanese side to a top place finish in the East Zone of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ league phase.

Having joined the team in January on loan from Scottish Premiership side Livingston, the 25-year-old forward had only made two substitute appearances prior to the match against Chengdu and rewarded Go Kuroda’s faith with a pair of headers.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-fc-machida-zelvia-jpn-3-2-chengdu-rongcheng-fc-chn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3157643

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3157645

Munoz hails JDT’s character

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Munoz hails JDT’s character

Iskandar Puteri: Johor Darul Ta’zim head coach Xisco Munoz praised his players for continuing to believe in the hard-fought 1-0 win over Vissel Kobe on Tuesday which secured a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ for the Malaysian side.

Marcos Guilherme’s 73rd-minute strike proved decisive as JDT advanced from the League Stage for the second successive season.

FC Seoul frustrate Kim; Gaul delighted with Hiroshima fightback

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

FC Seoul frustrate Kim; Gaul delighted with Hiroshima fightback

Seoul: Head coach Kim Gi-dong did not hide his frustration after FC Seoul surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/25™ concluding League Stage tie on Tuesday. 

The result left Seoul seventh in the standings but staring at elimination as their continental fate depends on Wednesday’s remaining two East Zone League Stage matches. 

Buriram make Jackson proud

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Buriram make Jackson proud

Buriram: Mark Jackson was extremely proud after guiding Buriram United into the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 following a 2-0 win against Shanghai Shenhua FC on Tuesday.

Adding to the 48-year-old head coach’s delight was the manner in which the win - Buriram’s fourth of the campaign - was achieved as the Thai side advanced from the League Stage for the second successive season.

Hosseinzadeh pleased with Tractor’s strong finish

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Hosseinzadeh pleased with Tractor’s strong finish

Al Rayyan: Goalscorer Amirhossein Hosseinzadeh hailed Tractor FC’s top-notch performance after the Islamic Republic of Iran side concluded their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ league phase with a 2-0 win against Al Gharafa SC on Tuesday.

Goalless in the first half, the already-qualified Tractor put the squeeze on Qatar’s Al Gharafa in the second half to snuff out their qualification hopes with Hosseinzadeh's 81st minute goal settling the contest after Mahdi Hashemnezhad had opened the scoring 20 minutes earlier.

Conceicao calls for Al Ittihad focus; Al Sadd’s Mancini glad to advance

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

Conceicao calls for Al Ittihad focus; Al Sadd’s Mancini glad to advance

Doha: Sergio Conceicao believes his Al Ittihad Club are on the right track after concluding their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ league phase campaign with a statement 4-1 win against Al Sadd SC on Tuesday.

The Portuguese tactician, however, is demanding laser-focus from his team as the former Porto FC head coach begins charting plans for a Round of 16 tie against United Arab Emirates’s Al Wahda FC.