MD1: Ratchaburi FC (THA) 4-6 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

MD1: Ratchaburi FC (THA) 4-6 Shanghai Port FC (CHN)

Ratchaburi: Prince Ampen’s first-half hat-trick sent Shanghai Port FC on their way to a frantic 6-4 victory over hosts Ratchaburi FC on Tuesday as the Chinese Super League champions made a winning start to the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™.

Ampen netted in the 31st and 36th minutes before completing his treble in the first minute of first half stoppage time as Kevin Muscat’s side picked up all three points against the Thai League 1 side.

Wu Lei was also on target for the visitors in the 51st minute before a double from substitute Njiva Rakotoharimalala gave Ratchaburi brief hope of a comeback prior to Jaume Grau’s fifth four minutes from time.

Njiva completed his hat-trick and Ekanit Panya scored from close range in a chaotic finish to the match with Leonardo netting his side’s sixth in the 96th minute to put the finally put the result beyond doubt.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3192188

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3192190

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3192439

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/md1-ratchaburi-fc-tha-v-shanghai-port-fc-chn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3192441

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3192443

MD1: Gamba Osaka (JPN) 4-1 Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

MD1: Gamba Osaka (JPN) 4-1 Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)

Suita: Takashi Usami led a slow-starting Gamba Osaka to a 4-1 win over Cong An Ha Noi FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opening tie at the Suita City Football Stadium on Tuesday.

Gamba, last season's AFC Champions League Two™ winners and making their first appearance on this stage since 2021, took the lead in the 29th minute through Usami after the Vietnam side had controlled the first half hour.
 
The J1 League outfit pulled further ahead after the break through Yusei Toshida before Usami added a second in the 67th minute and Koshiro Sumi closed in stoppage time to deny Cong An Ha Noi a winning start to their maiden continental appearance.

MD1: Daejeon Hanacitizen FC (KOR) 1-0 Kyoto Sanga FC (JPN)

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

MD1: Daejeon Hanacitizen FC (KOR) 1-0 Kyoto Sanga FC (JPN)

Daejeon: Daejeon Hanacitizen FC opened their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win against Kyoto Sanga FC on Monday.

The match at Daejeon World Cup Stadium saw the home side produce 17 attempts to Kyoto’s one but needed a late winner from Victor Bobsin to claim the points.

Al Ahli meet Pusic's expectations

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Al Ahli meet Pusic's expectations

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi FC survived a tough test to walk away with a point in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Monday, with head coach Marino Pusic applauding his team's ability to remain focused.

Back-to-back champions Al Ahli - who have only lost one of their last 30 AFC Champions League Elite matches - looked set to kick off their title defence with a loss after Pakhtakor's Flamarion scored in the 85h minute at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.

Firas Al Brikan, however, salvaged a point with his equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time.

Bakhtiarizadeh wants Esteghlal to aim higher

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Bakhtiarizadeh wants Esteghlal to aim higher

Basra: Sohrab Bakhtiarizadeh paid tribute to his players after Esteghlal FC produced a clinical performance to defeat Al Sadd SC 3-0 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ tie on Monday. 

Jasir Asani opened the scoring for the Islamic Republic of Iran side, with further strikes from Saeid Saharkhizan and Esmaeil Gholizadeh confirming the points. 

Rodgers impressed with Al Qadsiah's resilience

Tue, 15 Sep, 2026

Rodgers impressed with Al Qadsiah's resilience

Dammam: Brendan Rodgers applauded Al Qadsiah Club's resilience following their 2-1 win against Al Wasl FC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Monday.

Saudi Arabia's Al Qadsiah controlled the tie but only found the breakthrough in the second half with Julian Quinones and Mateo Retegui finding the back of the net. Leandro Spadacio scored a late consolation for UAE's Al Wasl.

Rodgers said his side deserved to be applauded after securing victory in challenging conditions.