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#ACLElite - MD3: What they said

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

#ACLElite - MD3: What they said

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Three of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ witnessed highs and lows as some teams boosted their hopes while others suffered disappointment.

The-AFC.com was on ground to hear what the teams had to say after a pulsating matchday, with the teams to resume their campaigns this coming week.

#ACLElite Matchday Fantasy: Best Picks for Matchday Four

Sat, 31 Oct, 2026

#ACLElite Matchday Fantasy: Best Picks for Matchday Four

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Fantasy returns for Matchday 4 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™, halfway there for the League Stage, and it just got better with every match.  

We will reveal our Top Manager after a fascinating Matchday 3 and, of course, tips for Matchday 4.  

Matchday Three: Facts & Figures

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

Matchday Three: Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ witnessed another round of scintillating action over the past week as the 32 teams left no stone unturned in the bid to boost their Round of 16 hopes.

The-AFC.com takes a look at several facts and figures that caught the eye.

Oniki hails Kashima’s collective effort

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

Oniki hails Kashima’s collective effort

Kashima: Toru Oniki praised his players’ patience after Kashima Antlers overcame FC Pohang Steelers 3-0 to register their third consecutive win in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2026/27 on Wednesday.

After successive J.League defeats, Kashima returned to winning ways with Ryuta Koike breaking the deadlock in the 69th minute before Aleksandar Cavric and Matheus Bueno sealed the victory.

Silva applauds Buriram resilience; Myojin rues Gamba’s missed chances

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

Silva applauds Buriram resilience; Myojin rues Gamba’s missed chances

Suita: Mario Silva praised Buriram United’s defensive resilience after the Thailand side held Gamba Osaka to a 1-1 draw in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2026/27 tie on Wednesday.

Eduardo Mancha put Buriram ahead before Takashi Usami’s second half equaliser, with Silva highlighting his players’ defensive discipline against last season’s AFC Champions League Two™ winners.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-kashima-antlers-jpn-3-0-fc-pohang-steelers-kor

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-gamba-osaka-jpn-1-1-buriram-united-tha

MD3: Gamba Osaka (JPN) 1-1 Buriram United (THA)

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

MD3: Gamba Osaka (JPN) 1-1 Buriram United (THA)

Suita: A dominant Gamba Osaka had to come from behind to play out a 1-1 stalemate with Thailand’s Buriram United in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ encounter on Wednesday.

Eduardo Mancha’s first-half goal was cancelled out by substitute Takashi Usami in the 66th minute to leave the undefeated Japanese outfit on seven points while Buriram, five adrift, were kept waiting for their first win. 

MD3: Kashima Antlers (JPN) 3-0 FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Thu, 29 Oct, 2026

MD3: Kashima Antlers (JPN) 3-0 FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Kashima: Two goals in six second half minutes saw Kashima Antlers break Pohang Steelers’ resistance to secure a 3-0 win over the K League 1 side on Wednesday and maintain their unblemished record in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™.

Ryuta Koike and Aleksandar Cavric scored in the 69th and 75th minutes respectively and Matheus Bueno added a third two minutes from time to take Kashima onto nine points from their first three matches in the competition.

The win sees Toru Oniki’s side join fellow J1 League outfit Vissel Kobe on maximum points while Pohang remain in the lower reaches of the 16-team standings with Park Tae-ha’s side yet to claim a point.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/md3-kashima-antlers-jpn-v-fc-pohang-steelers-kor

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/md3-gamba-osaka-jpn-v-buriram-united-tha

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-al-shamal-sc-qat-3-1-al-hilal-sfc-ksa