AFC Champions League - Landing Page

https://www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3029573.html

afc-newsletter

News

Matchday One: Facts & Figures

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

Matchday One: Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The opening matchday of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ had it all - big wins, upsets and more.

After a furious round of action, the-AFC.com takes a look at some facts and figures that caught the eye.

Skibbe applauds keeper Gonda after nervy Vissel win

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Skibbe applauds keeper Gonda after nervy Vissel win

Thammasat: Michael Skibbe reserved special praise for goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda following Vissel Kobe’s hard-fought 2-1 win against Port FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Wednesday.

Yoshinori Muto scored the winner just after the hour mark after Ren Komatsu had given the Japanese side a 10th minute lead, only to deflect Issam Al Sabhi’s header in first half stoppage time past his own goalkeeper for the equaliser at the Thammasat Stadium.

Skibbe admitted that Vissel had survived a tough test against the Thai side.

Jeonbuk’s fighting spirit impresses Chung

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Jeonbuk’s fighting spirit impresses Chung

Jeonju: Head coach Chung Jung-yong praised Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC’s determination after the two-time champions came from behind to defeat Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Wednesday.

Kenshin Yuba’s fine individual effort gave the Japanese side a 30th minute lead but Tiago Orobo drew Jeonbuk level three minutes after the restart before substitute Italo struck the winner after coming off the bench in the 69th minute.

Chung was delighted with the response from his players after the interval, saying their ability to execute his tactical plan had been key to the turnaround.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-port-fc-tha-1-2-vissel-kobe-jpn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-jeonbuk-hyundai-motors-fc-kor-2-1-kashiwa-reysol-jpn

MD1: Port FC (THA) 1-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

MD1: Port FC (THA) 1-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thammasat: Yoshinori Muto scored just after the hour mark to earn Vissel Kobe a 2-1 win over Port FC as the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ semi-finalists kicked off their new campaign with victory in Thailand.

Former Japan international Muto struck in the 61st minute after Ren Komatsu had given the visitors a 10th minute lead, only to deflect Issam Al Sabhi’s header in first half stoppage time past his own goalkeeper for the equaliser.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/md1-port-fc-tha-v-vissel-kobe-jpn

MD1: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

MD1: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

Jeonju: Substitute Italo scored less than four minutes after his introduction from the bench as two-times winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC came back from a goal down to hand Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol a 2-1 defeat in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Wednesday.

Kenshin Yuba had given the visitors the lead with a fine individual effort on the half hour mark but Tiago Orobo levelled in the 48th minute and Italo hit the winner 21 minutes later to secure all three points in the opening league phase match for Chung Jung-yong’s side.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/md1-jeonbuk-hyundai-motors-fc-kor-v-kashiwa-reysol-jpn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-al-hilal-sfc-ksa-2-1-al-gharafa-sc-qat

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-al-ain-fc-uae-4-0-al-nassr-club-ksa

Ivic: Victory a morale booster for Al Ain

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

Ivic: Victory a morale booster for Al Ain

Al Ain: Vladimir Ivic said Al Ain FC's victory against Al Nassr Club in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Tuesday was a morale booster for the UAE side.

The former continental champions cruised to a 4-0 win against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr with Ivic saying the win showed what his side can do. 

Videos

Matchday One: Facts & Figures

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

Matchday One: Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The opening matchday of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ had it all - big wins, upsets and more.

After a furious round of action, the-AFC.com takes a look at some facts and figures that caught the eye.

Skibbe applauds keeper Gonda after nervy Vissel win

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Skibbe applauds keeper Gonda after nervy Vissel win

Thammasat: Michael Skibbe reserved special praise for goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda following Vissel Kobe’s hard-fought 2-1 win against Port FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Wednesday.

Yoshinori Muto scored the winner just after the hour mark after Ren Komatsu had given the Japanese side a 10th minute lead, only to deflect Issam Al Sabhi’s header in first half stoppage time past his own goalkeeper for the equaliser at the Thammasat Stadium.

Skibbe admitted that Vissel had survived a tough test against the Thai side.

Jeonbuk’s fighting spirit impresses Chung

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Jeonbuk’s fighting spirit impresses Chung

Jeonju: Head coach Chung Jung-yong praised Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC’s determination after the two-time champions came from behind to defeat Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Wednesday.

Kenshin Yuba’s fine individual effort gave the Japanese side a 30th minute lead but Tiago Orobo drew Jeonbuk level three minutes after the restart before substitute Italo struck the winner after coming off the bench in the 69th minute.

Chung was delighted with the response from his players after the interval, saying their ability to execute his tactical plan had been key to the turnaround.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-port-fc-tha-1-2-vissel-kobe-jpn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-jeonbuk-hyundai-motors-fc-kor-2-1-kashiwa-reysol-jpn

MD1: Port FC (THA) 1-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

MD1: Port FC (THA) 1-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thammasat: Yoshinori Muto scored just after the hour mark to earn Vissel Kobe a 2-1 win over Port FC as the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ semi-finalists kicked off their new campaign with victory in Thailand.

Former Japan international Muto struck in the 61st minute after Ren Komatsu had given the visitors a 10th minute lead, only to deflect Issam Al Sabhi’s header in first half stoppage time past his own goalkeeper for the equaliser.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/md1-port-fc-tha-v-vissel-kobe-jpn

MD1: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

MD1: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

Jeonju: Substitute Italo scored less than four minutes after his introduction from the bench as two-times winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC came back from a goal down to hand Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol a 2-1 defeat in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Wednesday.

Kenshin Yuba had given the visitors the lead with a fine individual effort on the half hour mark but Tiago Orobo levelled in the 48th minute and Italo hit the winner 21 minutes later to secure all three points in the opening league phase match for Chung Jung-yong’s side.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/md1-jeonbuk-hyundai-motors-fc-kor-v-kashiwa-reysol-jpn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-al-hilal-sfc-ksa-2-1-al-gharafa-sc-qat

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-al-ain-fc-uae-4-0-al-nassr-club-ksa

Ivic: Victory a morale booster for Al Ain

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

Ivic: Victory a morale booster for Al Ain

Al Ain: Vladimir Ivic said Al Ain FC's victory against Al Nassr Club in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Tuesday was a morale booster for the UAE side.

The former continental champions cruised to a 4-0 win against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr with Ivic saying the win showed what his side can do. 

Photos

Matchday One: Facts & Figures

Fri, 18 Sep, 2026

Matchday One: Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The opening matchday of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ had it all - big wins, upsets and more.

After a furious round of action, the-AFC.com takes a look at some facts and figures that caught the eye.

Skibbe applauds keeper Gonda after nervy Vissel win

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Skibbe applauds keeper Gonda after nervy Vissel win

Thammasat: Michael Skibbe reserved special praise for goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda following Vissel Kobe’s hard-fought 2-1 win against Port FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Wednesday.

Yoshinori Muto scored the winner just after the hour mark after Ren Komatsu had given the Japanese side a 10th minute lead, only to deflect Issam Al Sabhi’s header in first half stoppage time past his own goalkeeper for the equaliser at the Thammasat Stadium.

Skibbe admitted that Vissel had survived a tough test against the Thai side.

Jeonbuk’s fighting spirit impresses Chung

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

Jeonbuk’s fighting spirit impresses Chung

Jeonju: Head coach Chung Jung-yong praised Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC’s determination after the two-time champions came from behind to defeat Kashiwa Reysol 2-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ opener on Wednesday.

Kenshin Yuba’s fine individual effort gave the Japanese side a 30th minute lead but Tiago Orobo drew Jeonbuk level three minutes after the restart before substitute Italo struck the winner after coming off the bench in the 69th minute.

Chung was delighted with the response from his players after the interval, saying their ability to execute his tactical plan had been key to the turnaround.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-port-fc-tha-1-2-vissel-kobe-jpn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-jeonbuk-hyundai-motors-fc-kor-2-1-kashiwa-reysol-jpn

MD1: Port FC (THA) 1-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thu, 17 Sep, 2026

MD1: Port FC (THA) 1-2 Vissel Kobe (JPN)

Thammasat: Yoshinori Muto scored just after the hour mark to earn Vissel Kobe a 2-1 win over Port FC as the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ semi-finalists kicked off their new campaign with victory in Thailand.

Former Japan international Muto struck in the 61st minute after Ren Komatsu had given the visitors a 10th minute lead, only to deflect Issam Al Sabhi’s header in first half stoppage time past his own goalkeeper for the equaliser.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/md1-port-fc-tha-v-vissel-kobe-jpn

MD1: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

MD1: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) 2-1 Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

Jeonju: Substitute Italo scored less than four minutes after his introduction from the bench as two-times winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC came back from a goal down to hand Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol a 2-1 defeat in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Wednesday.

Kenshin Yuba had given the visitors the lead with a fine individual effort on the half hour mark but Tiago Orobo levelled in the 48th minute and Italo hit the winner 21 minutes later to secure all three points in the opening league phase match for Chung Jung-yong’s side.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/md1-jeonbuk-hyundai-motors-fc-kor-v-kashiwa-reysol-jpn

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-al-hilal-sfc-ksa-2-1-al-gharafa-sc-qat

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-al-ain-fc-uae-4-0-al-nassr-club-ksa

Ivic: Victory a morale booster for Al Ain

Wed, 16 Sep, 2026

Ivic: Victory a morale booster for Al Ain

Al Ain: Vladimir Ivic said Al Ain FC's victory against Al Nassr Club in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Tuesday was a morale booster for the UAE side.

The former continental champions cruised to a 4-0 win against Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr with Ivic saying the win showed what his side can do.