Group G: Bali United FC (IDN) 1-2 Central Coast Mariners FC (AUS)

Thu, 09 Nov, 2023

Group G: Bali United FC (IDN) 1-2 Central Coast Mariners FC (AUS)

Bali: Marco Tulio scored the winning goal as Australia’s Central Coast Mariners edged hosts Bali United of Indonesia 2-1 at Captain 1 Wayan Dipta Stadium on Wednesday to take pole position in Group G of the AFC Cup™ 2023-24. 

Alou Kuol scored his second goal of the group stage to give the visitors an early lead which only lasted five minutes as Jefferson Assis hit back for Bali. However, Tulio converted from the penalty spot in the 64th minute to help Central Coast take a one-point lead over Terengganu FC in the group. 

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Group G: Stallion Laguna FC (PHI) 2-3 Terengganu FC (MAS)

Wed, 08 Nov, 2023

Group G: Stallion Laguna FC (PHI) 2-3 Terengganu FC (MAS)

Binan: Terengganu came back from two goals down to claim a 3-2 win over Stallion Laguna of the Philippines at Binan Football Stadium on Wednesday to boost their hopes of a place in the knockout rounds of the 2023-24 AFC Cup™.

Sony Norde scored four minutes from time to complete the comeback for the Malaysians, who had gone two goals behind inside the first 14 minutes when Junior Ngong Sam and Griffin McDaniel gave Laguna the perfect start.
 
But a first half own goal from captain Matthew Nierras and an equaliser by Ivan Mamut midway through the second half set up Norde to hit a late winner that broke the hearts of the Filipinos, who are still looking for their first win the competition.

The result keeps Terengganu in contention for a place in the next round with eight points from four games while leaving Laguna bottom of the group with a solitary point.

Kuwait's Bunjak remains optimistic, Kahrabaa's Salah thrilled with three points

Wed, 08 Nov, 2023

Kuwait's Bunjak remains optimistic, Kahrabaa's Salah thrilled with three points

Kuwait City: Kuwait SC head coach Boris Bunjak remained optimistic of his side's AFC Cup™ 2023/24 knockout stage hopes despite being held to a 1-1 draw by Syria's Al Ittihad Al Ahli Aleppo on Tuesday. 

The result meant Iraq's Al Kahrabaa Club assumed the Group B lead on seven points after defeating Jordan's Al Wehdat SC 3-1 in the other tie on Tuesday.
 
Three-time winners Kuwait SC are a point adrift, level with Al Wehdat while Al Ittihad are on two points. 

Group F: Lion City Sailors (SGP) 2-0 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Wed, 08 Nov, 2023

Group F: Lion City Sailors (SGP) 2-0 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Singapore: Richairo Zivkovic struck twice as Lion City Sailors shocked an out-of-sorts Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Wednesday, handing the two-time winners a 2-0 defeat at Jalan Besar Stadium in Group F of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24.

The win, which came courtesy of Zivkovic goals in the 23rd and 55th minutes, pulls Aleksandar Rankovic’s side level on six points with the former champions as two rounds remain in the battle for a place in the Round of 16.

Gustavo’s 90th minute penalty miss added insult to injury for the side from Korea Republic, the spot kick awarded after a VAR review determined Lion City’s Spanish defender Super had fouled Park Jae-yong.

Group H: Ventforet Kofu (JPN) 4-1 Zhejiang FC (CHN)

Wed, 08 Nov, 2023

Group H: Ventforet Kofu (JPN) 4-1 Zhejiang FC (CHN)

Tokyo: Ventforet Kofu registered their second win in four matches in Group H of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24  by defeating China PR’s Zhejiang FC 4-1 at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Nigerian striker Peter Utaka opened the scoring for the Japanese second division side in the 17th minute before Getulio Wandelly doubled their lead in the closing minutes of the first half.
 
Leonardo pulled one back for Zhejiang early in the second half only for captain Masahiro Sekiguchi and Yoshiki Torikai to score and seal a 4-1 win that sent Ventforet top of the group alongside Melbourne City. 

Group H: Melbourne City FC (AUS) 0-1 Buriram United (THA)

Wed, 08 Nov, 2023

Group H: Melbourne City FC (AUS) 0-1 Buriram United (THA)

Melbourne: Goran Causic’s 86th minute penalty proved the difference as Thailand’s Buriram United edged out Melbourne City 1-0 at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Group H on Wednesday, ending the Australian side’s three-game unbeaten run in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24.

The Southeast Asians had lost the first meeting 2-0 at Buriram Stadium on Matchday Three, but they were able to take revenge in Melbourne in the return game after Aziz Behich was penalised in the area, allowing Causic to wrap up all three points for the away side.

Group J: Pohang Steelers (KOR) 2-1 Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Wed, 08 Nov, 2023

Group J: Pohang Steelers (KOR) 2-1 Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)

Pohang: Pohang Steelers came from behind to defeat Urawa Red Diamonds 2-1 in Group J of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Wednesday.

The result means Korea Republic's Pohang are assured of a spot in the Round of 16 as the group winners.
 
For defending champions Urawa of Japan, the defeat leaves them on four points with a place in the next stage looking out of reach.

Oniki praises Kawasaki’s positivity

Wed, 08 Nov, 2023

Oniki praises Kawasaki’s positivity

Kawasaki: Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale showed they are the real deal after overcoming first half difficulties to defeat 10-man BG Pathum United 4-2 in Group I of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 at the Todoroki Stadium on Tuesday.

The win maintained Kawasaki’s perfect record in Group I, sitting six points ahead of Korea Republic’s Ulsan Hyundai and Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim and only needing a point from their remaining two matches to confirm their Round of 16 spot. 

Al Ain's Schreuder a hard coach to please

Wed, 08 Nov, 2023

Al Ain's Schreuder a hard coach to please

Riyadh: Al Ain FC may have become the first team to book their spot in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Round of 16 but head coach Alfred Schreuder was more concerned about the goals conceded in the 3-2 win over Al Fayha.

Tuesday's victory was the inaugural AFC Champions League winners' fourth, giving them an unassailable lead at the top of Group A with two matches remaining.
 
Kodjo Laba struck twice with Soufiane Rahimi adding the third, with Al Fayha replying through Anthony Nwakaeme and Muhannad Al Qaydhi. 

Castro hails phenomenal Al Nassr players

Wed, 08 Nov, 2023

Castro hails phenomenal Al Nassr players

Doha: Al Nassr head coach Luis Castro was full of praise for his players after their 3-2 win over Al Duhail SC took the Saudi Arabia club within a whisker of qualifying for the knockout stage of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 on Tuesday.

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo's absence, Al Nassr were simply too good as an Anderson Talisca hat-trick secured them a fourth consecutive win in Group E.