News

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

R16: Buriram win shootout to book spot

Wed, 11 Mar, 2026

R16: Buriram win shootout to book spot

Buriram: Neil Etheridge was the hero with two saves in the shootout as Buriram United defeated Melbourne City FC 4-2 on penalties in their AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ Round of 16 second leg tie on Tuesday.

Custodian Etheridge stepped up after the match at Buriram Stadium - which saw both sides reduced to 10 men - ended in a goalless stalemate after 120 minutes, having played to a 1-1 draw in last week’s first leg.  

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-2nd-leg-buriram-united-tha-v-melbourne-city-fc-aus

https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite.html/photo/r16-2nd-leg-fc-machida-zelvia-jpn-v-gangwon-fc-kor

R16: Machida edge Gangwon to advance

Tue, 10 Mar, 2026

R16: Machida edge Gangwon to advance

Machida: Japan’s Machida Zelvia squeezed into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ as Hotaka Nakamura’s 25th minute header earned the J1 League outfit a 1-0 win over Gangwon FC in the second leg of their Round of 16 encounter on Tuesday.

The victory at Machida Stadium ensured Go Kuroda’s side advanced after the teams had shared a goalless draw in the first leg in Korea Republic last week, allowing Machida to claim a 1-0 aggregate success.

Machida’s progress to the last eight is another remarkable achievement for a club that just two-and-a-half years ago was playing in their country's second tier but who have since established themselves in Japan’s top flight and won last year’s Emperor’s Cup.