Missed chances frustrate Al Nassr’s Pioli; Bozovic praises Esteghlal’s defensive grit

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

Missed chances frustrate Al Nassr’s Pioli; Bozovic praises Esteghlal’s defensive grit

Tehran: Al Nassr Club head coach Stefano Pioli expressed dismay over his team's inability to convert their chances in the tense 0-0 draw with Esteghlal FC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg at the Azadi Stadium on Monday.

Despite missing Cristiano Ronaldo and Aymeric Laporte, Al Nassr dominated large spells of the match and created several clear-cut opportunities without converting, leaving the tie finely balanced with the return leg to be played next week.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-esteghlal-fc-irn-0-0-al-nassr-club-ksa-1

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Al Wasl’s Milojevic, Al Sadd’s Sanchez confident of advancing

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Al Wasl’s Milojevic, Al Sadd’s Sanchez confident of advancing

Dubai: Al Wasl head coach Milos Milojevic believes his team were the superior side despite settling for a 1-1 draw against Al Sadd  in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 first leg tie on Monday.

An early Ali Saleh strike was canceled out by a powerful Abdulla Al Yazidi header in the second half leaving both teams with everything to play for next week's second leg in Doha.

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Shanghai: Shanghai Shenhua will be confident of victory when they face Kawasaki Frontale in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

China PR's Shenhua defeated Japan's Frontale 2-0 when the sides met in the League Stage back in October.

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Gwangju FC (KOR)

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Gwangju FC (KOR)

Kobe: Vissel Kobe will have to rediscover their best form when they welcome Gwangju FC to the Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium for the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Wednesday.

Both sides comfortably qualified for the last 16 stage, with Japan's Vissel finishing fifth and Korea Republic's Gwangju a spot higher.

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Al Rayyan SC (QAT) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Al Rayyan SC (QAT) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Al Rayyan: The odds may be stacked against them but Al Rayyan SC will not hold back when they face Al Ahli Saudi FC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

While Qatar's Al Rayyan had to work hard to seal qualification, Al Ahli cruised through the League Stage and only finished second to fellow Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal SFC on goal difference.

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Pakhtakor (UZB) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Pakhtakor (UZB) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Tashkent: Pakhtakor will have to brace themselves for a hurting Al Hilal SFC when the two sides meet in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Pakhtakor will welcome Al Hilal to the JAR Stadium having just managed to qualify for the Round of 16 while the Saudi Arabia side topped the West Zone League Stage with an impressive 22 points but struggling for form in recent matches.

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Buriram United FC (CHN) v Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Buriram United FC (CHN) v Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)

Buriram: Buriram United will aim to maximise home ground advantage when they face Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

It promises to be a feisty ASEAN derby, with Buriram United well placed to defend their Thai League 1 title while Johor Darul Ta'zim have already secured an 11th consecutive Malaysian crown.

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Shanghai Port FC (CHN) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

Preview - R16 (1st Leg): Shanghai Port FC (CHN) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Shanghai: Shanghai Port FC will be hoping for a better result when they host Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg of their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 Round of 16 tie on Tuesday.

Japan's Marinos defeated China PR's Shanghai Port 2-0 when the sides met on Matchday Eight of the East Zone League Stage.

#ACLElite - Bergson wins best goal of MD8 (East) poll

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

#ACLElite - Bergson wins best goal of MD8 (East) poll

Kuala Lumpur: Bergson's precise strike against against FC Pohang Steelers has been voted as the best goal of Matchday Eight of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 (East).

Bergson's effort in the 52nd minute gave Johor Darul Ta'zim a 2-1 lead in their match against the Korea Republic giants as the Malaysian champions eventually ran out 5-2 winners to seal progression to the Round of 16 in style.

Earning 60% of the votes, Bergson now joins teammate Arif Aiman in advancing to the semi-finals.