#ACLElite - MD1: In Numbers

Fri, 27 Sep, 2024

#ACLElite - MD1: In Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 got off to a sizzling start over the past week with 12 matches played across the continent.

The opening matchday of Asia's top club competition had thrills, spills and much, much more so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at some interesting facts and figures.

Shanghai’s Muscat, JDT’s Bidoglio happy with shared points

Thu, 19 Sep, 2024

Shanghai’s Muscat, JDT’s Bidoglio happy with shared points

Shanghai: Shanghai Port head coach Kevin Muscat and his Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) counterpart  Hector Bidoglio expressed their satisfaction after the two sides settled for a battling draw in their  AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Wednesday. 

Malaysia’s JDT twice led through Arif Aiman in a pulsating match at the Pudong Football Stadium only for Shanghai to fight back through goals from Gustavo and Willian Popp.

Kawasaki’s Marcinho targets title after Ulsan HD win

Thu, 19 Sep, 2024

Kawasaki’s Marcinho targets title after Ulsan HD win

Ulsan: Match winner Marcinho is confident of Kawasaki Frontale’s title chances following their 1-0 win over Korea Republic’s Ulsan HD in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Wednesday. 

The Brazilian forward’s second-half strike earned the Japanese side the three points at the Ulsan Munsu World Cup Stadium.

Al Nassr appoint Pioli as head coach

Thu, 19 Sep, 2024

Al Nassr appoint Pioli as head coach

Riyadh: Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr announced on Wednesday the appointment of Stefano Pioli as head coach.

The Italian replaces Luis Castro, who parted ways with the club on Tuesday.

Jesus: Al Hilal had to work hard for victory

Wed, 18 Sep, 2024

Jesus: Al Hilal had to work hard for victory

Al Rayyan: It may have looked like a cruise but Al Hilal SFC head coach Jorge Jesus said his side had to work hard for their 3-1 win over Al Rayyan SC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 opener on Tuesday. 

Four-time Asian champions Al Hilal went into the break leading 3-0 thanks to goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, Joao Concelo and Marcos Leonardo but then had to be on their toes to prevent an Al Rayyan fightback after Roger Guedes pulled one back for the Qatari side two minutes into the second half.

Half-time talk restored belief, says Shandong Taishan’s Choi

Wed, 18 Sep, 2024

Half-time talk restored belief, says Shandong Taishan’s Choi

Jinan: Head coach Choi Kang-hee’s half-time pep talk sparked Shandong Taishan’s AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 3-1 win against Central Coast Mariners on Tuesday.

Bi Jinhao’s eighth minute goal gave Shandong a perfect start but Mikael Doka’s penalty in the ninth minute of first half added time left the China PR side reeling, prompting Choi and his coaching staff to intervene during the break with Valeri Qazaishvili netting twice in the second period for the win. 

Gwangju’s Lee expects more despite fantastic start

Wed, 18 Sep, 2024

Gwangju’s Lee expects more despite fantastic start

Gwangju: Lee Jung-hyo praised his Gwangju FC players for their strong mentality in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 win against Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos but the head coach admitted he wasn’t totally satisfied with how the Korea Republic side ended the tie on Tuesday.

Making their continental debut, Gwangju produced a swashbuckling performance to defeat AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 runners-up Marinos 7-3 at Gwangju World Cup Stadium, Jasir Asani starring with a hat-trick with Oh Hu-seong, Beka Mikeltadze, Lee Hui-gyun and Gabriel Tigrao also getting on the scoreboard. 

Opening with a win is what matters, says Al Ahli’s Jaissle

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Opening with a win is what matters, says Al Ahli’s Jaissle

Jeddah: It was a case of job done as far as Matthias Jaissle was concerned after his Al Ahli Saudi FC opened their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 campaign with a 1-0 win over Persepolis FC on Monday. 

Frank Kessie’s second minute goal eventually settled the contest but both sides had numerous opportunities at the Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium, with Jaissle admitting it had been a tough and nervy contest.

Esteghlal’s resilience pleases Nekoman

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Esteghlal’s resilience pleases Nekoman

Qods: Head coach Javad Nekonam heaped praise on his Esteghlal players following their convincing 3-0 win against Qatar’s Al Gharafa  in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 opener at the Shahr-e Qods Stadium on Monday.

Esteghlal took the lead thanks to an own goal in the first half before seeing off Al Gharafa with strikes from Ramin Rezaeian and Arash Rezavand.

Mixed emotions for Al Ain’s Crespo, Al Sadd’s Sanchez

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Mixed emotions for Al Ain’s Crespo, Al Sadd’s Sanchez

Al Ain: Head coach Hernan Crespo was left to rue Al Ain’s missed opportunity following their 1-1 draw with Qatar’s Al Sadd in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 opener at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Monday.

Akram Afif opened the scoring following a defensive error in the closing stages of the first half with Al Ain needing a second half intervention from Kodjo Laba to grab a share of the spoils.