East Asia Wrap: Chengdu surge; Kashima edge Urawa; Ulsan hit five

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

East Asia Wrap: Chengdu surge; Kashima edge Urawa; Ulsan hit five

Hong Kong: Chengdu Rongcheng continued their strong start to the Chinese Super League season to remain top, while defending champions Shanghai Port FC dropped further points.

In Japan, Kashima Antlers extended their lead in Group A, while results remained tight in Group B. FC Seoul stayed top despite defeat in Korea Republic as Ulsan HD delivered the most emphatic result of the round.

Join the the-AFC.com for a look back at the past week’s domestic action across East Asia.

S-final - Preview: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Tue, 21 Apr, 2026

S-final - Preview: Vissel Kobe (JPN) v Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)

Jeddah: Al Ahli Saudi FC head coach Matthias Jaissle has called on his players to deliver their finest performance against Vissel Kobe in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ as the title holders look to book a return trip to the final.

The Saudi side showed their battling qualities to fight back from a goal down to defeat Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta’zim in the quarter-finals despite playing most of the match with 10 men and Jaissle expressed his desire to see his team excel in all departments to see off the Japanese outfit.

Sakai calls for bravery; Toney confident of delivering

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Sakai calls for bravery; Toney confident of delivering

Jeddah: Vissel Kobe defender Gotoku Sakai has called on his teammates to be brave when they take on star-studded defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Final Jeddah 2026™ at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Monday.

The Japanese club are attempting to qualify for the final for the first time after seeing off Qatar’s Al Sadd SC in a penalty shoot-out in the previous round and next face an Al Ahli side featuring the likes of Riyad Mahrez, Ivan Toney and Franck Kessie.

Q-finals: Facts & Figures

Sun, 19 Apr, 2026

Q-finals: Facts & Figures

Jeddah: The quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite Finals Jeddah 2026™ concluded on Saturday with fans treated to four scintillating matches.

There was joy for the teams which advanced while the dreams of the losing sides were dashed.

The-AFC.com takes a look at some interesting facts and figures from the quarter-finals.

Q-final: Al Nassr turn on the power

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Q-final: Al Nassr turn on the power

Dubai: Cristiano Ronaldo led the way as Al Nassr Club strolled 4-0 past Al Wasl FC in their AFC Champions League Two 2025/26™ quarter-final at Zabeel Stadium on Sunday.

A blistering opening 30 minutes saw Al Nassr race to a three-goal lead with Ronaldo scoring his first of the campaign as the Saudi Arabia side set up a semi-final against Qatar’s Al Ahli SC on Wednesday.

Q-final: Kuwait SC hold off late Al Shabab surge to advance

Mon, 20 Apr, 2026

Q-final: Kuwait SC hold off late Al Shabab surge to advance

Bishkek: Kuwait SC had to stave off a late fightback to earn a 5-3 win against Oman's Al Shabab Club in their AFC Challenge League 2025/26™ quarter-final at Dolen Omurzakov Stadium on Sunday.

The Kuwaiti side's opponents in Wednesday’s semi-final will be FC Muras United of Kyrgyz Republic, who defeated Lebanon’s Al Ansar FC 3-0 in their last eight tie.