MD1: Gwangju FC (KOR) 7-3 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Wed, 18 Sep, 2024

MD1: Gwangju FC (KOR) 7-3 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Gwangju: Jasir Asani scored a hat-trick and set up a fourth as continental debutants Gwangju FC handed Yokohama F. Marinos a 7-3 victory at Gwangju World Cup Stadium on Tuesday in the opening round of league play in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

The Japanese side, runners-up last season in the AFC Champions League™, had no answer for the Albanian international, whose ability to strike from the right of the home side’s attack had the Marinos defence reeling.

Oh Hu-seong, Beka Mikeltadze, Lee Hui-gyun and Gabriel Tigrao were also on target for a rampant Gwangju with Elber scoring twice for Marinos, whose challenge was ultimately swept away with three goals in six second half minutes.

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MD1: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 3-1 Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Wed, 18 Sep, 2024

MD1: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 3-1 Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Jinan: Shandong Taishan of China PR were made to work hard before securing a 3-1 win over Australia’s Central Coast Mariners in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 League Stage match on Tuesday.

The match at Jinan Olympics Sports Center Stadium was decided by two Valeri Qazaishvili second half goals as the 2023 Chinese Super League runners-up made a winning start to their continental campaign.

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.

Castro: Poor finishing cost Al Nassr full points

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Castro: Poor finishing cost Al Nassr full points

Baghdad: Luis Castro admitted that Al Nassr paid the price for poor finishing after they had to be satisfied with a share of the points against Al Shorta in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 opener on Monday.

Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr enjoyed a dream start with Sultan Al Ghannam giving them a 14th minute lead. Mohammed Dawood equalised 10 minutes later for Iraq’s Al Shorta but Castro’s side had numerous opportunities after that to take the points but were let down by a lack of sharpness in front of the goalmouth. 

Preview - MD1: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) v Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Wed, 18 Sep, 2024

Preview - MD1: Shanghai Port FC (CHN) v Johor Darul Ta’zim (MAS)

Shanghai: The top sides of China PR and Malaysia will square off when Shanghai Port FC welcome Johor Darul Ta'zim for their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 opener on Wednesday.

Shanghai Port hold a two-point lead in the Chinese Super League with five matches remaining while Johor Darul Ta'zim are three clear of the summit as they chase an 11th consecutive domestic title.

Preview - MD1: Ulsan HD FC (KOR) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Wed, 18 Sep, 2024

Preview - MD1: Ulsan HD FC (KOR) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)

Ulsan: Having regained their form at the tail end of the K League 1 season, Ulsan Hyundai will be determined to not slip up when they welcome Kawasaki Frontale to the Ulsan Munsu Stadium for their opening AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

The two-time Asian champions are well placed to win a third consecutive domestic title and this spells bad news for a Kawasaki Frontale side languishing in the bottom half of the J1 League standings.

Europe Wrap: Nakamura stars for Reims, derby heartbreak for Son

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Europe Wrap: Nakamura stars for Reims, derby heartbreak for Son

Kuala Lumpur: Japan's Keito Nakamura made an impact coming off the bench for Reims in France while there was heartbreak for Son Heung-min as Tottenham Hotspur fell in the North London Derby.

Celtic's Japanese contingent played their part the defending champions stayed perfect in Scotland.

Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how Asia's best fared across Europe this past week.

Preview - S-final: Japan v Netherlands

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Preview - S-final: Japan v Netherlands

Cali: Manaka Matsukubo has reminded Japan to remain focused ahead of their FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.

Japan booked their spot in Wednesday's last four tie with a 1-0 extra-time win over defending champions Spain while the Netherlands defeated Colombia 3-0 on penalties after their quarter-final ended 2-2.

Preview - S-final: USA v DPR Korea

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Preview - S-final: USA v DPR Korea

Cali: DPR Korea will not make the mistake of underestimating the United States when they square off in their FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024 semi-final on Wednesday.

The reigning Asian champions are seeking a third world title while the United States are aiming for a fourth.