#ACLTwo - Matchday One: Facts & Figures

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

#ACLTwo - Matchday One: Facts & Figures

Kuala Lumpur: The race for the title kicked off in earnest with Matchday One of the AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/26 Group Stage.

It was action galore across the eight groups and the-AFC.com highlights several facts and figures that caught the eye.

One step at a time for Tai Po’s Lee

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

One step at a time for Tai Po’s Lee

Hong Kong: Head coach Lee Chi Kin called for calm after seeing his Tai Po FC side beat Macarthur FC 2-1 in their opening AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/26 Group E tie on Thursday.

The win put the Hong Kong side at the top of the standings, two points ahead of China PR’s Beijing FC and Cong An Ha Noi FC of Vietnam who drew 2-2 in the other game, but Lee is not looking too far ahead just yet.

Alhaft proud to have delivered for Bangkok United

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

Alhaft proud to have delivered for Bangkok United

Petaling Jaya: Ilias Alhaft expressed delight at Bangkok United’s perfect start to their AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/26 Group G campaign after his brace inspired a 4-2 win over Selangor FC at the MBPJ Stadium on Thursday.

Alhaft and Muhsen Al Ghassani gave Bangkok the lead before Chrigor reduced the deficit in the 23rd minute, only for Bangkok to restore their two-goal advantage through Alhaft’s second. Aliff Izwan pulled another one back for Selangor but Philipe Maia netted in the 84th minute to calm Bangkok's nerves and seal the points. 

Jesus pleased with Al Nassr’s depth

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

Jesus pleased with Al Nassr’s depth

Riyadh: Jorge Jesus gave opportunities to fringe players in Al Nassr Club’s opening AFC Champions League Two™ 2025/26 Group D tie against FC Istiklol on Wednesday and came away pleased with what he saw.

A 5-0 win against the Tajikistan side was achieved largely without the presence of key players Sadio Mane, Marcelo Brozovic and Kingsley Coman who were not in the starting XI. Cristiano Ronaldo was not even in the matchday squad.

#ACLElite - Matchday One: Five Takeaways

Fri, 19 Sep, 2025

#ACLElite - Matchday One: Five Takeaways

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League Elite™ 2025/26 kicked off with a bang with thrill and spills witnessed across the 12 matches.

The-AFC.com highlights five takeaways from an exciting opening round of the League Stage.

Japan stay as Asia’s top side

Thu, 18 Sep, 2025

Japan stay as Asia’s top side

Kuala Lumpur: Japan maintained their status as Asia’s top side in the latest FIFA Men’s World Ranking released on Thursday, despite slipping two places to sit 19th globally, with the top 10 remaining unchanged.

Kuwait made the biggest jump, moving three spots to 135 and 25th in Asia.

There were also positive moves for Tajikistan (104), Malaysia (123), Turkmenistan (138) and the Philippines – who all improved their global rankings by two spots.