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Munoz proud of JDT’s progress

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

Munoz proud of JDT’s progress

Hiroshima: Xisco Munoz was beaming with pride after Johor Darul Ta’zim reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Wednesday.

Kosuke Kinoshita’s 90th-minute penalty gave Sanfrecce Hiroshima a 1-0 win on the night but Malaysia’s JDT advanced 3-2 on aggregate, securing quarter-final progression for the first time.

Osako hits the high note at the right time for Vissel

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

Osako hits the high note at the right time for Vissel

Vissel: Yuya Osako was a man on a mission in Vissel Kobe’s 2-1 win over FC Seoul in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 second leg tie on Wednesday.

His header in the 78th minute saw the home side draw level after having been behind for much of the game to Patryk Klimala’s 20th minute strike, with Japan's Vissel eventually going on to win the game 2-1 thanks to Yosuke Ideguchi’s 89th minute goal to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

It had been a long wait for Osako - who started the competition with a strike in the opening League Stage game against China PR’s Shanghai Port FC - for a second goal, having missed four matches due to injury.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-2nd-leg-vissel-kobe-jpn-2-1-fc-seoul-kor

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-2nd-leg-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn-1-0-johor-darul-ta’zim-fc-mas

R16: Johor Darul Ta'zim create history

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

R16: Johor Darul Ta'zim create history

Hiroshima: Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim will play in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ for the first time despite a 1-0 loss against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday as Xisco Munoz’s side completed a 3-2 aggregate win over their Japanese hosts.

JDT, making their third appearance in the last 16 in four seasons, advanced as Bartosh Gaul’s J1 League outfit could only halve the 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Johor when Kosuke Kinoshita’s 90th minute penalty gave Hiroshima hope late in the match.
 
The successful spot-kick was a solitary blemish on an otherwise disciplined defensive display by the visitors, who join Buriram United, Machida Zelvia and Vissel Kobe in progressing to the next round.

R16: Vissel hold firm to confirm quarter-final ticket

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

R16: Vissel hold firm to confirm quarter-final ticket

Kobe: Japan’s Vissel Kobe batted their way into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after they came from behind to beat FC Seoul 2-1 in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie at the Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium on Wednesday.

Patryk Klimala’s first half strike was cancelled out by Yuya Osako and Yosuke Ideguchi after the break to give the Japanese outfit a 3-1 aggregate win as they advanced to the quarter-finals after having fallen at the Round of 16 hurdle last season.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-2nd-leg-vissel-kobe-jpn-v-fc-seoul-kor

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-2nd-leg-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn-v-johor-darul-ta’zim-mas

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-2nd-leg-buriram-united-tha-0-0-1-1-agg-4-2-pso-melbourne-city-fc-aus

Etheridge applauds fans as Buriram survive Melbourne encounter

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Etheridge applauds fans as Buriram survive Melbourne encounter

Buriram: Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge paid tribute to the fans after guiding Buriram United past Melbourne City FC in a tense penalty shootout in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Round of 16 second leg tie on Tuesday.

The Filipino custodian, who made two crucial saves to help his side win 4-2 on penalties, praised both his teammates’ commitment and the unwavering support of the fans.

Nakamura repays teammates; Kuroda hails Machida spirit

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Nakamura repays teammates; Kuroda hails Machida spirit

Machida: Debutants FC Machida Zelvia continued their fairy-tale run in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after the 1-0 win against Gangwon FC on Tuesday took the Japanese side into the quarter-finals.

Hotaka Nakamura scored in the 25th minute and the 28-year-old right-back was delighted to be able to help the team, having missed the majority of the League Phase due to injury.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-2nd-leg-fc-machida-zelvia-jpn-1-0-gangwon-fc-kor

Latest Photos

Gross to work on Al Ahli's attack ahead of group stage

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Gross to work on Al Ahli's attack ahead of group stage

Jeddah: Head coach Christian Gross will be working on improving Al Ahli Saudi FC's attacking qualities ahead of the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage.

The club from Saudi Arabia advanced from the play-offs with a 1-0 win over Tajikistan's Istiklol FC on Tuesday, with Youcef Belaïli converting a penalty in stoppage time to take Al Ahli into the group stage for the sixth consecutive year.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/photo/album_-_acl2020_play-offs.html

ALBUM - #ACL2020 Play-offs

Henri: Shahr Khodro showed great determination to go through

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Henri: Shahr Khodro showed great determination to go through

Doha: Head coach Stephane Henri hailed his players' determination as Shahr Khodro FC sealed a place in the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage for the first time on Tuesday.

The Islamic Republic of Iran club prevailed 5-4 on penalties against Qatar’s Al Sailiya FC after 120 minutes saw the play-off tie end in a 0-0 draw at the Abdullah bin Khalifa Stadium.

Goalkeeper Mahdi Rahmati was the hero for Shahr Khodro, producing a brilliant shootout save to deny countryman Karim Ansarifard before Saeid Sadeghi struck the decisive blow to take his team through.

FC Seoul are back where we belong, says Osmar

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

FC Seoul are back where we belong, says Osmar

Seoul: Spaniard Osmar Barba went from zero to hero on Tuesday for FC Seoul, scoring an own goal before firing home a free-kick to restore the club's two-goal cushion on the way to a 4-1 victory over Malaysia's Kedah FA and a place in the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage.

The 31-year-old spoke exclusively to the-AFC.com following the play-off tie at Seoul World Cup Stadium and he reflected on the match, the importance of playing in the AFC Champions League, his favourite memories from the competition so far, and his hopes for 2020.

AFC Statement on AFC Champions League Group Stage matches

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Statement on AFC Champions League Group Stage matches

Kuala Lumpur: Following discussions with representatives of clubs from the Islamic Republic of Iran, held in Kuala Lumpur on January 23, 2020, it was agreed that any home matches involving clubs from IR Iran on match days 1,2 and 3 would be swapped to become away fixtures. 

.

Majidi: Esteghlal have high ambitions in ACL 2020

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Majidi: Esteghlal have high ambitions in ACL 2020

Doha: Esteghlal FC head coach Farhad Majidi was a happy man following Tuesday’s victory against Qatar’s Al Rayyan in their 2020 AFC Champions League play-off match.

The former Islamic Republic of Iran national team forward saw Esteghlal score five goals against their hosts at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium to book their place in the group stage of the competition for the fourth consecutive year.

AFC Statement on AFC Champions League Group Stage matches

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

AFC Statement on AFC Champions League Group Stage matches

Kuala Lumpur: After close consultation with the Chinese Football Association (CFA), the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) can confirm that the home matches of the Chinese clubs in the AFC Champions League Group Stage on Match Day (MD) 1, 2 and 3 will be rescheduled to be played as away matches by swapping the match order with opponent clubs. 

In the meantime, the AFC will closely monitor the situation before deciding further on the home matches of Chinese clubs on MD4, 5 and 6.

The decision, which was also made in conjunction with the competing clubs from the respective groups, is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of all participating players and teams in view of the current coronavirus outbreak in the People’s Republic of China.

Al Ain deserve to go through, says head coach Emanuel

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Al Ain deserve to go through, says head coach Emanuel

Al Ain: Head coach Pedro Emanuel said Al Ain FC were worthy winners over FC Bunyodkor as the UAE Pro League side advanced to the 2020 AFC Champions League group stage on Tuesday.

Despite Saeed Juma’s second-half strike ultimately deciding the tie, Al Ain dominated against the Uzbekistan club at the Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

Nabbout ecstatic to be back at 'biggest competition in Asia'

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nabbout ecstatic to be back at 'biggest competition in Asia'

Kashima: Melbourne Victory's match-winner Andrew Nabbout expressed his delight at returning to the AFC Champions League following the A-League side's 1-0 win over Kashima Antlers in the play-offs on Tuesday.

Having weathered a Kashima storm in the first half, Melbourne netted the tie's only goal on 54 minutes when Nabbout was on hand to fire home a deflected effort past Kwoun Sun-tae.

Custodian Lawrence Thomas then put on a goalkeeping clinic to deny the 2018 champions as the A-League side held out for a famous victory.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2020_-_play-offs_al_ahli_saudi_fc_1-0_fc_istiklol.html

Play-off: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-0 FC Istiklol (TJK)

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Play-off: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-0 FC Istiklol (TJK)

Jeddah: A penalty from Youcef Belaïli at the death helped Al Ahli Saudi FC overcome FC Istiklol of Tajikistan to reach the 2020 AFC Champions League Group Stage with a 1-0 win at the King Abdullah Sport City Stadium on Tuesday.

Istiklol had qualified to the play-off stage after stunning PFC Lokomotiv 1-0 in Tashkent in the Preliminary Round 2, while Al Ahli qualified as fourth placed in the 2018-19 Saudi Pro League.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl2020_-_play-offs_al_sailiya_sc_0-0_shahr_khodro_fc.html

Videos

Munoz proud of JDT’s progress

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

Munoz proud of JDT’s progress

Hiroshima: Xisco Munoz was beaming with pride after Johor Darul Ta’zim reached the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Wednesday.

Kosuke Kinoshita’s 90th-minute penalty gave Sanfrecce Hiroshima a 1-0 win on the night but Malaysia’s JDT advanced 3-2 on aggregate, securing quarter-final progression for the first time.

Osako hits the high note at the right time for Vissel

Thu, 12 Mar, 2026

Osako hits the high note at the right time for Vissel

Vissel: Yuya Osako was a man on a mission in Vissel Kobe’s 2-1 win over FC Seoul in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 second leg tie on Wednesday.

His header in the 78th minute saw the home side draw level after having been behind for much of the game to Patryk Klimala’s 20th minute strike, with Japan's Vissel eventually going on to win the game 2-1 thanks to Yosuke Ideguchi’s 89th minute goal to advance 3-1 on aggregate.

It had been a long wait for Osako - who started the competition with a strike in the opening League Stage game against China PR’s Shanghai Port FC - for a second goal, having missed four matches due to injury.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-2nd-leg-vissel-kobe-jpn-2-1-fc-seoul-kor

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-2nd-leg-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn-1-0-johor-darul-ta’zim-fc-mas

R16: Johor Darul Ta'zim create history

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

R16: Johor Darul Ta'zim create history

Hiroshima: Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim will play in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ for the first time despite a 1-0 loss against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on Wednesday as Xisco Munoz’s side completed a 3-2 aggregate win over their Japanese hosts.

JDT, making their third appearance in the last 16 in four seasons, advanced as Bartosh Gaul’s J1 League outfit could only halve the 3-1 deficit from the first leg in Johor when Kosuke Kinoshita’s 90th minute penalty gave Hiroshima hope late in the match.
 
The successful spot-kick was a solitary blemish on an otherwise disciplined defensive display by the visitors, who join Buriram United, Machida Zelvia and Vissel Kobe in progressing to the next round.

R16: Vissel hold firm to confirm quarter-final ticket

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

R16: Vissel hold firm to confirm quarter-final ticket

Kobe: Japan’s Vissel Kobe batted their way into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after they came from behind to beat FC Seoul 2-1 in the second leg of their Round of 16 tie at the Kobe City Misaki Park Stadium on Wednesday.

Patryk Klimala’s first half strike was cancelled out by Yuya Osako and Yosuke Ideguchi after the break to give the Japanese outfit a 3-1 aggregate win as they advanced to the quarter-finals after having fallen at the Round of 16 hurdle last season.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-2nd-leg-vissel-kobe-jpn-v-fc-seoul-kor

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-2nd-leg-sanfrecce-hiroshima-jpn-v-johor-darul-ta’zim-mas

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-2nd-leg-buriram-united-tha-0-0-1-1-agg-4-2-pso-melbourne-city-fc-aus

Etheridge applauds fans as Buriram survive Melbourne encounter

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Etheridge applauds fans as Buriram survive Melbourne encounter

Buriram: Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge paid tribute to the fans after guiding Buriram United past Melbourne City FC in a tense penalty shootout in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Round of 16 second leg tie on Tuesday.

The Filipino custodian, who made two crucial saves to help his side win 4-2 on penalties, praised both his teammates’ commitment and the unwavering support of the fans.

Nakamura repays teammates; Kuroda hails Machida spirit

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

Nakamura repays teammates; Kuroda hails Machida spirit

Machida: Debutants FC Machida Zelvia continued their fairy-tale run in the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ after the 1-0 win against Gangwon FC on Tuesday took the Japanese side into the quarter-finals.

Hotaka Nakamura scored in the 25th minute and the 28-year-old right-back was delighted to be able to help the team, having missed the majority of the League Phase due to injury.

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/video/aclelite-|-r16-2nd-leg-fc-machida-zelvia-jpn-1-0-gangwon-fc-kor

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