#ACL - Review: Matchday Two

Kuala Lumpur: Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar scored their maiden goals as the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 witnessed a sizzling Matchday Two.

Several teams boosted their knockout stage hopes, some bounced back while a few have a lot of work ahead of them so join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how Matchday Two unfolded and what to expect in the next round of matches.

Group A
Al Fayha (KSA) 2-0 Pakhtakor (UZB)
Al Ain FC (UAE) 4-2 Ahal FC (TKM)

UAE's Al Ain FC, the inaugural AFC Champions League winners, look like the real deal after defeating Ahal FC of Turkmenistan 4-2.

Two wins on the trot have given them a three-point buffer and they will aim for a third victory when they host Saudi Arabia's Al Fayha on Matchday Three.

#ACL - Group A | Al Ain FC (UAE) 4 - 2 Ahal FC (TKM)

Al Ain, however, can expect a test as Al Fayha will be buoyant after claiming their first ever AFC Champions League win in the 2-0 triumph over Pakhtakor with Abdelhamid Sabiri scoring both goals.

Pakhtakor, meanwhile, will be desperate to win against Ahal as two defeats leave the Uzbekistan champions firmly rooted at the bottom of the Group A standings.

Group B
Sharjah FC (UAE) 1-0 Al Faisaly (JOR)
FC Nasaf (UZB) 3-1 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

FC Nasaf are the early pacesetters in Group B with the Uzbekistan side impressing in a 3-1 win over 2011 AFC Champions League winners Al Sadd on Matchday Two.

#ACL - Group B | FC Nasaf (UZB) 3 - 1 Al Sadd SC (QAT)

The win took Nasaf to six points, two ahead of UAE's Sharjah FC with the sides to meet on Matchday Three in an enticing clash.

Qatar's Al Sadd have much to do after collecting just one point from two matches and failure to beat Jordan's Al Faisaly could well mean missing out on the AFC Champions League knockout stage for a third straight season.

Group C
AGMK FC (UZB) 1-2 Air Force Club (IRQ)

Ali Jasim is fast turning out to be the most exciting youngster in this season's AFC Champions League with the 19-year-old scoring once in the 2-1 win over AGMK FC.

It was Jasim's third goal of the campaign, having netted both in the 2-2 draw with Sepahan FC of Islamic Republic of Iran on Matchday One.

Air Force Club top the table with four points but can expect their resolve to be tested when they travel to Jeddah to play Al Ittihad FC, whose Matchday Two tie against Sepahan was cancelled.

Group D
Nassaji Mazandaran (IRN) 0-3 Al Hilal SFC (KSA)
Navbahor (UZB) 3-0 Mumbai City (IND)

Brazilian Neymar scored his first goal as two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Hilal SFC cruised to a 3-0 win over Islamic Republic of Iran's Nassaji Mazandaran.

#ACL - Group D | Nassaji Mazandaran FC (IRN) 0 - 3 Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Al Hilal would have been pleased with their work, having needed an equaliser in the 10th minute of stoppage time to salvage a point against Uzbekistan's Navbahor on Matchday One.

Navbahor, meanwhile, continued with their fine start as they cruised 3-0 past India's Mumbai City and will fancy their chances of another three points when they host Nassaji on Matchday Three with Al Hilal to welcome Mumbai City to Riyadh.

Group E
Al Nassr (KSA) 3-1 FC Istiklol (TJK)
Al Duhail SC (QAT) 0-1 Persepolis FC (IRN)

Cristiano Ronaldo netted his first AFC Champions League goal to spark Al Nassr's come-from-behind 3-1 win over FC Istiklol of Tajikistan.

Despite Istiklol having taken the lead, the three points were well deserved for Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr as they sit comfortably at the top of the standings with six points.

#ACL - Group E | Al Nassr (KSA) 3 - 1 FC Istiklol (TJK)

Two-time AFC Champions League runners-up Persepolis of Iran would have been pleased as well, bouncing back from a 2-0 defeat to Al Nassr to beat Qatar's Al Duhail SC 1-0.

Persepolis will target another win when they host Istiklol next while Al Nassr will be aiming to maintain their perfect start against Al Duhail in Riyadh.

Group F
Kitchee SC (HKG) 1-2 Lion City Sailors FC (SGP)
Bangkok United FC (THA) 3-2 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC

In what was the biggest shock of Matchday Two, Bangkok United FC surged to the top of the Group F standings with an impressive 3-2 win over two-time AFC Champions League winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

#ACL - Group F | Bangkok United (THA) 3-2 Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR)

Jeonbuk, semi-finalists last season, just couldn't cope with Bangkok United's exuberance and the Thai side will approach their Matchday Three encounter against Hong Kong's Kitchee SC oozing confidence.

Jeonbuk will host Lion City Sailors and will be wary after the Singaporean side edged Kitchee 2-1 on Matchday Two.

Group G
Shandong Taishan FC (CHN) 0-1 Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)
Incheon United FC (KOR) 4-0 Kaya FC-Iloilo

Surprise package Incheon United FC followed up their impressive 4-2 win over Japan champions Yokohama F. Marinos with a classy 4-0 defeat of Kaya FC-Iloilo to sit top of the group with a three-point advantage.

#ACL - Group G | Incheon United FC (KOR) 4-0 Kaya FC-Iloillo (PHI)

Their confidence skyrocketing, the Korea Republic side will feel another three points are within reach when China PR's Shandong Taishan visit on Matchday Three.

F. Marinos, meanwhile, carved out a crucial 1-0 win over Shandong and will look to continue their revival against winless Kaya FC at home.

Group H
Zhejiang FC (CHN) 1-2 Melbourne City FC (AUS)
Ventforet Kofu (JPN) 1-0 Buriram United (THA)

Melbourne City FC made up for dropping points at home on Matchday One by edging China PR's Zhejiang FC 2-1 at the Huzhou Olympic Sports Centre.

#ACL - Group H | Zhejiang FC (CHN) 1-2 Melbourne City FC (AUS)

The Australian side, however, will know that there is still a lot to do if they are to advance with Ventforet Kofu level on four points with them.

The Japanese side edged Buriram United 1-0 on Matchday Two and playing winless Zhejiang away on Matchday Three won't faze them. Melbourne City, meanwhile, travel to Buriram.

Group I
BG Pathum United (THA) 2-4 Johor Darul Ta'zim (MAS)
Kawasaki Frontale 1-0 Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR)

Kawasaki Frontale are well on course for a place in the Round of 16 after a huge 1-0 win over two-time AFC Champions League winners Ulsan Hyundai FC.

#ACL - Group I | Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) 1-0 Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR)

Having defeated Malaysia'sJohor Darul Ta'zim by the same score on Matchday One, Frontale will travel to Pathum Thani for Matchday Three confident of another three points against a BG Pathum United side whose campaign is in danger of a premature end.

Ulsan host a Johor Darul Ta'zim who impressed in a 4-2 win over BG Pathum, setting the stage for a thriller.

Group J
Pohang Steelers (KOR) 3-1 Wuhan Three Towns FC (CHN)
Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN) 6-0 Hanoi FC (VIE)

Urawa Red Diamonds and Pohang Steelers are set for a massive showdown after registering important wins on Matchday Two.

#ACL - Group J | Pohang Steelers (KOR) 3 - 1 Wuhan Three Towns FC (CHN)

Both three-time Asian champions, Pohang made it two wins out of two with a 3-1 defeat of China PR's Wuhan Three Towns FC.

Urawa, lucky to escape with a point from their opener against Wuhan, showed the form that won them a third AFC Champions League title last season in a 6-0 defeat of Hanoi FC.

Wuhan will host Hanoi with both teams desperately needing points to stay in the race for the knockout stage.

#ACL - Review: Matchday Two

Kante praises Urawa’s desire for goals

Lion City’s precision delights Rankovic, Kim vows Kitchee will bounce back

Bangkok United’s Totchtawan calls for focus to maintain good start

Marinos worked hard for victory, says Mizunuma

Al Hilal's Jesus hails perfect performance against Nassaji

#ACL - Review: Matchday Two

Related News

Kante praises Urawa’s desire for goals

Lion City’s precision delights Rankovic, Kim vows Kitchee will bounce back

Bangkok United’s Totchtawan calls for focus to maintain good start

Marinos worked hard for victory, says Mizunuma

Al Hilal's Jesus hails perfect performance against Nassaji