Evolution, not revolution, the way forward for Sanfrecce under Gaul
Even with a new coach at the helm, Sanfrecce Hiroshima look like they will challenge for top honours again in the J1 League this season.
Even with a new coach at the helm, Sanfrecce Hiroshima look like they will challenge for top honours again in the J1 League this season.
Five years from their arrivals, Bérgson and Shane Lowry have finally helped JDT reach the ACL Elite quarterfinals for the first time.
JDT were given a villain's reception but survived the hostile treatment -- and a late scare -- to make history in the ACL Elite.
Sanfrecce coach Bartosch Gaul was bemused that a trio of suspended JDT players were initially cleared to feature in last week's meeting between the two teams.
JDT can reach the ACL Elite quarterfinals for the first time if they can complete an aggregate victory over Sanfrecce on Wednesday.
JDT are now one result away from reaching the quarterfinals of the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time.
Southeast Asian representatives JDT and Buriram are once again through to the knockout round of the AFC Champions League Elite.
JDT's hopes of reaching the ACL Elite round of 16 took a blow on Tuesday after a 2-1 loss to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Neil Etheridge is ready to keep playing his part in Buriram's pursuit of glory on multiple fronts, especially now that he's made his regional club bow.
JDT's ACL Elite quest will have to go on without star man Arif Aiman for now after he was injured on international duty.
Melbourne City coach Aurelio Vidmar is aware of the threat Johor Darul Ta'zim will pose in Tuesday's ACL Elite clash.
JDT produced arguably their most-dominant display ever in the ACL Elite with a 3-1 win over Shanghai Shenhua.
From some tough times in Russia to winning the AFC Champions League, Kim In-Sung's journey has been a "happy" one.
Arif Aiman missed out on winning the AFC Player of the Year award -- but he could be in the running again this year.
With an Asian Cup to qualify for and a breakthrough to be made at Buriram United, Ilhan Fandi is set for a big season.
A homegrown trio shone for Johor Darul Ta'zim in Tuesday's draw with Machida Zelvia in the AFC Champions League Elite.
Even with new strikers arriving each season, Bérgson is proving impossible to leave out of the JDT starting XI.
This week's ASEAN Club Championship action will see JDT host Bangkok United in a potentially epic encounter.
The J1 League's representatives look set to once again dominate the East region of the AFC Champions League Elite.
At the fourth time of asking, Johor Darul Ta'zim are yet to figure out a way to get one over Buriram United.
The Saudi Pro League's representatives look set to dominate the AFC Champions League Elite once more this season.
Shandong Taishan have been banned from continental competition until the 2027-28 season after a no-show in February.
| Group East | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machida Zelvia | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +8 | 17 |
| Vissel Kobe | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +7 | 16 |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +4 | 15 |
| Buriram United | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +2 | 14 |
| Melbourne City FC | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +2 | 14 |
| Johor Darul Ta'zim | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | +1 | 11 |
| FC Seoul | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | +1 | 10 |
| Gangwon FC | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -2 | 9 |
| Ulsan HD | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -2 | 9 |
| Chengdu Rongcheng | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -4 | 6 |
| Shanghai Shenhua | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -8 | 4 |
| Shanghai Port | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | -9 | 4 |
| Group West | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Al Hilal | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | +11 | 22 |
| Al Ahli | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +12 | 17 |
| Traktor Sazi FC | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +8 | 17 |
| Al Ittihad | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | +13 | 15 |
| Al-Wahda | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +4 | 14 |
| Shabab Al-Ahli | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| Al Duhail | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Al Sadd | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -4 | 8 |
| Sharjah | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -8 | 8 |
| Al Gharafa | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -14 | 6 |
| Al-Shorta | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -14 | 5 |
| Nasaf Qarshi | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -8 | 4 |