Europe Wrap: Ueda closing in on history

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

Europe Wrap: Ueda closing in on history

Kuala Lumpur: Japan and Feyenoord striker Ayase Ueda netted his 23rd goal in 28 appearances, putting the 27-year-old on track to become the first Japanese player to finish as top scorer in the Eredivisie.

Other continental stars also filled the scoresheet, so follow the-AFC.com as we look at what Asia’s finest have been up to in Europe this past week.

R16 - Preview: Al Ittihad Club (KSA) v Al Wahda FC (UAE)

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

R16 - Preview: Al Ittihad Club (KSA) v Al Wahda FC (UAE)

Jeddah: Al Ittihad Club will have to be at their best if they are to get the better of Al Wahda FC when the sides meet in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Tuesday.

Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad overcame a slow start in the League Stage to finish fourth in the standings while Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates were a rung lower.

R16 - Preview: Tractor FC (IRN) v Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

R16 - Preview: Tractor FC (IRN) v Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)

Jeddah: Tractor FC and Shabab Al Ahli are set for a thrilling clash when they meet in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ on Tuesday.

Islamic Republic of Iran's Tractor finished an impressive third in the West Zone League Stage while Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates were seventh.

Relieved Park applauds Korea Republic’s grit

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

Relieved Park applauds Korea Republic’s grit

Pathum Thani: Head coach Park Youn-jeong admitted Korea Republic were put through the wringer before securing a 2-1 victory over Thailand in their AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026 quarter-final on Sunday.

The two-time champions netted their winner in the second half of extra time after the match ended in a 1-1 stalemate at the end of regulation time, leaving Park vastly relieved.

Nuengrutai: Luck not on Thailand's side

Mon, 13 Apr, 2026

Nuengrutai: Luck not on Thailand's side

Pathum Thani: Thailand head coach Nuengrutai Srathongvian cut a dejected figure after her side's 2-1 defeat to Korea Republic in the quarter-finals of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup Thailand 2026™ on Sunday.

The hosts came back strongly to level the score in the second half but conceded in extra time, leaving Nuengrutai heartbroken.

R16: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-0 Al Duhail SC (QAT)

Tue, 14 Apr, 2026

R16: Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1-0 Al Duhail SC (QAT)

Jeddah: Riyad Mahrez’s stunning extra-time free-kick took defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC into the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26™ with a 1-0 win over Qatar’s Al Duhail SC at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Monday.

The former Manchester City winger struck with three minutes left in the second period of extra-time after seeing a penalty from teammate Ivan Toney saved by Al Duhail’s Salah Zakaria that looked set to take a gripping last 16 clash into a shoot-out.
 
But Mahrez’s perfect strike from outside the penalty area eventually took Matthias Jaissle’s side through to the quarter-finals, where they will take on Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim on Friday.