LATEST NEWS - JFA

MD2: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 2-0 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

MD2: Vissel Kobe (JPN) 2-0 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Kobe: Vissel Kobe weathered a second-half push from Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to claim a 2-0 win over the K League 1 champions at Misaki Park Stadium on Wednesday as Michael Skibbe’s side picked up their second victory in a row in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™.

Yuya Osako gave the home side the lead in the 11th minute before Kobe survived an Italo-inspired revival as Jeonbuk sought the equaliser after the interval, but Yuya Kuwasaki hit his side’s decisive second in the 68th minute against the run of play.

The result moves the J1 League outfit onto six points from their first two matches in the eastern league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite while Jeonbuk remain on three points having won their opener against Kashiwa Reysol last month.

Kashima’s grit earns Oniki’s praise

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

Kashima’s grit earns Oniki’s praise

Toru Oniki was pleased to see Kashima Antlers pass a tough Cong An Ha Noi FC test on Tuesday, with the head coach praising his players for finding a way through a demanding AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ fixture.

Nguyen Abou Leygley Minh’s 61st-minute own goal settled a hard-fought encounter as Kashima moved onto six points from two matches, following their opening win over Newcastle Jets FC.

Popovic: Victory is for the city of Kyoto

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

Popovic: Victory is for the city of Kyoto

Kameoka: Ranko Popovic dedicated Kyoto Sanga FC’s first continental victory to those working behind the scenes after his side edged Ratchaburi FC 1-0 in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Tuesday.

Substitute Temma Matsuda struck late to secure Kyoto’s first points following their opening match defeat to Daejeon Hana Citizen FC, with Popovic pleased with the contribution of players who have had limited match time.

Myojin applauds Gamba’s resolve; Miligan proud of Jets

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

Myojin applauds Gamba’s resolve; Miligan proud of Jets

Newcastle: Tomokazu Myojin saw plenty of positives after witnessing his Gamba Osaka side fight back from a goal down to defeat Newcastle Jets FC 3-1 in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ match on Tuesday.

The head coach was delighted to see his charges stick to their style of football despite trailing, with the methods bearing fruits through goals from Yusei Toshida, Deniz Hummet and Welton Felipe.

MD2: Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE) 0-1 Kashima Antlers (JPN)

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

MD2: Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE) 0-1 Kashima Antlers (JPN)

Hanoi: Kashima Antlers moved onto six points from their first two matches in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ on Tuesday as Toru Oniki’s side secured a 1-0 win over hosts Cong An Ha Noi FC through Nguyen Abou Leygley Minh’s second half own goal.

The defender put the ball past Filip Nguyen in the 61st minute to give the Japanese side their second win of the campaign after starting the competition with a comprehensive victory over Newcastle Jets FC last month.

The result leaves Vietnam's Cong An Ha Noi without a point from their first two matches but coach Mano Polking will have been encouraged by his side’s performance against the reigning J1 League champions.

MD2: Kyoto Sanga FC (JPN) 1-0 Ratchaburi FC (THA)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

MD2: Kyoto Sanga FC (JPN) 1-0 Ratchaburi FC (THA)

Kameoka: A late Temma Matsuda goal earned Kyoto Sanga FC a 1-0 win against Ratchaburi FC in their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™ contest on Tuesday.

The substitute smashed home the winner with minutes to spare as the J League 1 side bounced back from their Matchday One defeat to Daejeon Hana Citizen FC of Korea Republic while Thailand’s Ratchaburi remained pointless after two matches.

MD2: Newcastle Jets FC (AUS) 1-3 Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

MD2: Newcastle Jets FC (AUS) 1-3 Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Newcastle: Deniz Hummet stepped off the bench to score the crucial second for Gamba Osaka as the J1 League side came from behind to defeat hosts Newcastle Jets 3-1 on Tuesday to pick up back-to-back wins in the league phase of the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/27™.

Hummet, who hit Gamba’s winner in the final of the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Two, made the difference in the 73rd minute, netting three minutes after his introduction while fellow substitute Welton Felipe scored his side’s third with four minutes remaining.
 
Nikolaos Vergos had given Newcastle the lead in the 32nd minute with a heavily deflected effort before Yusei Toshida levelled with a perfectly placed header five minutes before the interval.

Preview: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

Preview: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Kobe: Vissel Kobe and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC are set for a blockbuster affair when they square off in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ on Wednesday.

Both won their opening matches and will be determined to not slip up in their attempt to lay early markers for Round of 16 spots.

Preview: Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) v Port FC (THA)

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026

Preview: Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) v Port FC (THA)

Kashiwa: It will be a meeting between two teams who lost their opening day encounters when Kashiwa Reysol (JPN) host Port FC in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ on Wednesday.

Both lost by 2-1 margins, making the tie at the Kashiwa Soccer Stadium a must-win affair.

Europe Wrap: Yang, Kamada and Goto net first goals

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Europe Wrap: Yang, Kamada and Goto net first goals

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic U23 winger Yang Min-hyeok and Japan internationals Daichi Kamada and Keisuke Goto struck their first goals of the season right after the international break - Yang in the Belgian Pro League, Kamada in the English Premier League and Goto in the Bundesliga. 

There were also goals - albeit at the wrong end of the pitch - for Japan’s Kota Takai and Shogo Taniguchi in their match for Sint-Truiden in Belgium, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe.

Preview: Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE) v Kashima Antlers (JPN)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Preview: Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE) v Kashima Antlers (JPN)

Hanoi: Cong An Ha Noi FC will be determined to show their true capabilities when they welcome Kashima Antlers for their AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ tie on Tuesday.

The Vietnamese side's tournament debut ended in a heavy defeat while former AFC Champions League winners Kashima cruised to a big win.

Preview: Kyoto Sanga FC (JPN) v Ratchaburi FC (THA)

Tue, 13 Oct, 2026

Preview: Kyoto Sanga FC (JPN) v Ratchaburi FC (THA)

Kameoka: Kyoto Sanga FC and Ratchaburi FC are set for a thrilling clash when they meet in the AFC Champions League Elite 2026/2027™ on Tuesday.

Both lost their respective openers, making this a must-win tie at the Kyoto Stadium.