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.

MD1: Al Ahli FC (KSA) 1-0 Persepolis FC (IRN)

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

MD1: Al Ahli FC (KSA) 1-0 Persepolis FC (IRN)

Jeddah: Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC secured a winning start to their AFC Champions League Elite™ League Stage campaign by defeating Persepolis FC of Islamic Republic of Iran 1-0 on Monday.

Frank Kessie’s early goal settled the contest at Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium in a game which saw both teams creating plenty of chances only to be let down by poor finishing.

MD1: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 3-0 Al Gharafa (QAT)

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

MD1: Esteghlal FC (IRN) 3-0 Al Gharafa (QAT)

Qods: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal FC secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Al Gharafa of Qatar in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 opener at the Shahr-e Qods Stadium on Monday.

A Abdalla Yousif's own goal separated the sides going into the break before further efforts from Ramin Rezaeian and Arash Rezavand sealed the win for Esteghlal.

MD1: Al Ain FC (UAE) 1-1 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

MD1: Al Ain FC (UAE) 1-1 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

Al Ain: United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain left it late to secure a 1-1 draw against Qatar’s Al Sadd SC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 opener at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium on Monday.

Akram Affif gave Al Sadd the lead in the closing stages of the first half, before Matias Palacios equalised for AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 winners Al Ain in the 80th minute for a share of the points.

MD1: Al Shorta (IRQ) 1-1 Al Nassr (KSA)

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

MD1: Al Shorta (IRQ) 1-1 Al Nassr (KSA)

Baghdad: Iraq’s Al Shorta held Al Nassr Club of Saudi Arabia to a 1-1 draw in their opening AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 League Stage match on Monday.

Missing Cristiano Ronaldo and Aymeric Laporte, Al Nassr found the going tough at Al-Madina International Stadium and in the end, had to settle for a point.

Preview - MD1: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Wed, 18 Sep, 2024

Preview - MD1: Al Rayyan SC (QAT) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Al Rayyan: It will be a meeting of familiar foes when Al Rayyan SC welcome Al Hilal SFC to the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium for their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 opener on Tuesday.

The two sides have previously met eight times on the continental stage, with Al Hilal winning five of the encounters and Al Rayyan two.

Preview - MD1: Pakhtakor FC (UZB) v Al Wasl Club (UAE)

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Preview - MD1: Pakhtakor FC (UZB) v Al Wasl Club (UAE)

Tashkent: Pakhtakor FC will be counting on their track record to see them past Al Wasl Club in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 opener on Tuesday.

Pakhtakor have lost only once in their last eight opening continental matches and are undefeated at home in as many but will be meeting Al Wasl for the first time.

Preview - MD1: Buriram United (THA) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Preview - MD1: Buriram United (THA) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Buriram: It will be a meeting between the champions of Thailand and Japan when Buriram United host Vissel Kobe in their opening AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Domestically, Buriram are enjoying better fortunes while Vissel Kobe have to fight if they are defend the J1 League title they won for the first time last season.

Preview - MD1: Shanghai Shenhua (CHN) v Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Preview - MD1: Shanghai Shenhua (CHN) v Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Shanghai: Shanghai Shenhua will look to carry their domestic form onto the continental stage when they welcome Pohang Steelers for their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Shanghai Shenhua are very much in the running for the Chinese Super League title, sitting two points adrift of leaders Shanghai Port with five matches remaining.

Preview - MD1: Gwangju FC (KOR) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Preview - MD1: Gwangju FC (KOR) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Gwangju: Gwangju FC will be aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow Korea Republic side Incheon United when they host Yokohama F. Marinos in their opening AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Incheon defeated eventual AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 runners-up F. Marinos in their continental debut last season and Gwangju, appearing at this stage for the first time, will be hoping to do the same.

Preview - MD1: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Tue, 17 Sep, 2024

Preview - MD1: Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) v Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Ji'nan: Shandong Taishan FC will fancy their chances when they welcome Central Coast Mariners to the Jinan Olympic Sports Center for their opening AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 tie on Tuesday.

Shandong Taishan, who defeated Thailand's Bangkok United in the preliminary stage, will be appearing at the top tier of Asian club football for the 12th time while Central Coast Mariners are making a return after a 10-year lapse.

#ACLTwo - Preview: Matchday 1

Mon, 16 Sep, 2024

#ACLTwo - Preview: Matchday 1

Kuala Lumpur: The newly-minted AFC Champions League 2™ kicks off on Tuesday with 32 teams bidding to be crowned the inaugural winners.

The top two finishers from each group advance to the Round of 16, to be played in February 2025. This will be followed by the quarter-finals on March 4 2025 and semi-finals in April 2025, before the tournament culminates in a single-leg final on May 17, 2025.

The competition promises to be intense and ahead of the sides beginning their respective campaigns, the-AFC.com takes a look at what can be expected on Matchday One.