#ACLElite - MD2 in numbers

Thu, 02 Oct, 2025

#ACLElite - MD2 in numbers

Kuala Lumpur: Matchday Two of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 was a sumptuous affair, with high quality action, top-notch goals and defensive resilience.

The-AFC.com highlights several facts and figures from the 12 matches that caught the eye.

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3119388

www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/3119390

Shenhua’s Slutskiy satisfied; Shin eyes Ulsan progression

Thu, 02 Oct, 2025

Shenhua’s Slutskiy satisfied; Shin eyes Ulsan progression

Shanghai: Leonid Slutskiy took plenty of positives from Shanghai Shenhua FC’s 1-1 draw with Ulsan HD FC in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 match on Wednesday.

The head coach saw his Chinese Super League side recover from their Matchday One defeat to Korea Republic’s Gangwon FC to collect their first point of the campaign, with the Russian tactician pleased with how his players coped with the demands of the match.

Yuruki shines as Vissel Kobe stay perfect

Thu, 02 Oct, 2025

Yuruki shines as Vissel Kobe stay perfect

Kobe: Koya Yuruki repaid his coach’s faith by delivering a match-winning performance to hand Vissel Kobe a dramatic 1-0 victory over Melbourne City at Misaki Park Stadium in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 on Wednesday.

Yuruki, often used as a substitute, was handed a starting role and scored in the third minute of added time, keeping Kobe perfect after two rounds.

Sousa: Shabab Al Ahli were outstanding

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Sousa: Shabab Al Ahli were outstanding

Jeddah: Head coach Paulo Sousa said Shabab Al Ahli were deserving winners against Al Ittihad Club following their 1-0 victory in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 on Tuesday.

Saeid Ezatolahi’s first half header earned the UAE side victory as they moved up to four points while Saudi Arabian champions Al Ittihad were left reeling after suffering their second successive defeat.  

Al Sadd must improve, admits Sanchez

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Al Sadd must improve, admits Sanchez

Doha: Felix Sanchez has challenged his players to lift their performance after Al Sadd SC were held to a 1-1 draw by Sharjah FC in the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 on Tuesday.

Continental champions in 2011, Al Sadd took the lead through the mercurial Akram Afif but were subsequently pegged back by Caio Fernandes’ equaliser as the Qatari side settled for a second successive draw.

Draw a fair result for Kuroda, Munoz

Wed, 01 Oct, 2025

Draw a fair result for Kuroda, Munoz

Iskandar Puteri: Go Kuroda and Xisco Munoz both viewed the goalless stalemate between Johor Darul Ta’zim FC and FC Machida Zelvia in their AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 tie on Tuesday as a point earned rather than two dropped.

The sides produced a total of 25 shots between them, showing their attacking intentions but were let down by a lack of quality, with Machida’s Yuki Soma also missing a 23rd minute penalty.

Kuroda, in expressing satisfaction with his team’s performance, was also pleased with Machida’s ability to contain JDT’s attacking threat as the Japanese side stayed unbeaten in their maiden continental adventure.