Preview: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Preview: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Kobe: Vissel Kobe and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC are set for a blockbuster affair when they square off in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ on Wednesday.

Both won their opening matches and will be determined to not slip up in their attempt to lay early markers for Round of 16 spots.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-preview-matchday-two-1

Preview: Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) v Port FC (THA)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Preview: Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) v Port FC (THA)

Kashiwa: It will be a meeting between two teams who lost their opening day encounters when Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) host Port FC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ on Wednesday.

Both lost by 2-1 margins, making the tie at the Kashiwa Soccer Stadium a must-win affair.

Europe Wrap: Yang, Kamada and Goto net first goals

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Europe Wrap: Yang, Kamada and Goto net first goals

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic U23 winger Yang Min-hyeok and Japan internationals Daichi Kamada and Keisuke Goto struck their first goals of the season right after the international break - Yang in the Belgian Pro League, Kamada in the English Premier League and Goto in the Bundesliga. 

There were also goals - albeit at the wrong end of the pitch - for Japan’s Kota Takai and Shogo Taniguchi in their match for Sint-Truiden in Belgium, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

Know your team: China PR

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Know your team: China PR

Kuala Lumpur: China PR will relish testing their mettle at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Morocco 2027 as they look to improve on last year’s Round of 16 appearance.

Semi-finalists at the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup China 2026™ in May, China PR showed they have the ability to trouble any team as they put eventual champions DPR Korea to the sternest of tests before bowing out.

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Player to watch: Rustam Yatimov (TJK)

Kuala Lumpur: Goalkeeper Rustam Yatimov will look to duplicate his 2023 heroics in Qatar when Tajikistan return to the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™. 

A standout during the Central Asia side’s historic debut in the AFC Asian Cup Qatar 2023™, Yatimov was instrumental in their run to the knockout stage, where he made the only save in a decisive 5-3 penalty shootout against the United Arab Emirates’ Caio Canedo to seal a memorable Round of 16 victory.

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Mon, 12 Oct, 2026

Sanchez to steer Bahrain

Manama: Felix Sanchez has taken charge of Bahrain, with the Spaniard set to lead the West Asian nation at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™.

Sanchez replaces Dragan Talajic, who parted ways with Bahrain following the recent Gulf Cup.