AFC Champions League Elite
Al Hilal, Vissel Kobe on song
Al Hilal SFC and Vissel Kobe are the only teams still with perfect records as they laid out early markers in the race for Round of 16 spots.
What made their wins even more special was their determination, with Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal staying focused to see off the challenge of PFC Nasaf, with the Uzbekistan side drawing level twice before succumbing to a 3-2 defeat.
Vissel's win against Australia's Melbourne City FC was even more dramatic, with Koya Yuruki scoring the winner in the fourth minute of added time for the Japanese side.
With six points already on the board, both look well set for knockout stage spots.
Al Hilal SFC and Vissel Kobe are the only teams still with perfect records as they laid out early markers in the race for Round of 16 spots.
What made their wins even more special was their determination, with Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal staying focused to see off the challenge of PFC Nasaf, with the Uzbekistan side drawing level twice before succumbing to a 3-2 defeat.
Vissel's win against Australia's Melbourne City FC was even more dramatic, with Koya Yuruki scoring the winner in the fourth minute of added time for the Japanese side.
With six points already on the board, both look well set for knockout stage spots.
UAE sides continue to impress
Sharjah FC, Al Wahda FC and Shabab Al Ahli ended Matchday Two with four points as they continued their good starts.
UAE champions Shabab Al Ahli registered the result of the round, defeating Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad Club 1-0 while Sharjah and Al Wahda picked up a valuable away point against Qatar's Al Sadd SC and Tractor FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran respectively.
Only one UAE club - Al Wasl FC - advanced to the knockout stage last season but if the three can maintain their consistency, the rest of the West cast will find it hard to stop them.
Sharjah FC, Al Wahda FC and Shabab Al Ahli ended Matchday Two with four points as they continued their good starts.
UAE champions Shabab Al Ahli registered the result of the round, defeating Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad Club 1-0 while Sharjah and Al Wahda picked up a valuable away point against Qatar's Al Sadd SC and Tractor FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran respectively.
Only one UAE club - Al Wasl FC - advanced to the knockout stage last season but if the three can maintain their consistency, the rest of the West cast will find it hard to stop them.
Ulsan HD's renaissance
It took Ulsan HD six match days to register a victory last year - which proved to be their only points - but the two-time Asian champions have already registered a win and a draw this season.
Their continental form is in vast contrast to how they have been performing domestically and with four League Stage matchdays remaining before the season takes a break, head coach Shin Tae-yong said his focus is on keeping Ulsan sharp ahead of a possible upheaval in the squad.
New players coming in could well propel Ulsan to a third continental title.
It took Ulsan HD six match days to register a victory last year - which proved to be their only points - but the two-time Asian champions have already registered a win and a draw this season.
Their continental form is in vast contrast to how they have been performing domestically and with four League Stage matchdays remaining before the season takes a break, head coach Shin Tae-yong said his focus is on keeping Ulsan sharp ahead of a possible upheaval in the squad.
New players coming in could well propel Ulsan to a third continental title.
Tightly contested affairs
The race for knockout stage spots promises to be intense based on the Matchday Two results, with Korea Republic’s FC Seoul the only big winners - defeating Thailand's Buriram United 3-0.
Qatar's Al Gharafa SC beat Al Shorta of Iraq 2-0 while the remaining four matches which had victors saw triumphs by one-goal margins.
Crucially, six matches ended in stalemates, giving hope to teams who are struggling to get their campaigns running, with the top eight from both zones to advance to the Round of 16.
The race for knockout stage spots promises to be intense based on the Matchday Two results, with Korea Republic’s FC Seoul the only big winners - defeating Thailand's Buriram United 3-0.
Qatar's Al Gharafa SC beat Al Shorta of Iraq 2-0 while the remaining four matches which had victors saw triumphs by one-goal margins.
Crucially, six matches ended in stalemates, giving hope to teams who are struggling to get their campaigns running, with the top eight from both zones to advance to the Round of 16.
#ACLElite | Al Ittihad Club (KSA) 0-1 Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)
Al Ittihad on a tightrope
While Al Hilal top the West Zone standings and defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC sit second, Al Ittihad Club - the third Saudi Arabian side in the competition - are 11th after two defeats.
Hassan Khalifa put the reigning Saudi Pro League champions' troubles down to early-season blues but the newly-appointed head coach knows that Al Ittihad must start firing on all cylinders - starting with the tie against Iraq's Al Shorta on October 20 - if they are to stand a chance of advancing.
While Al Hilal top the West Zone standings and defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC sit second, Al Ittihad Club - the third Saudi Arabian side in the competition - are 11th after two defeats.
Hassan Khalifa put the reigning Saudi Pro League champions' troubles down to early-season blues but the newly-appointed head coach knows that Al Ittihad must start firing on all cylinders - starting with the tie against Iraq's Al Shorta on October 20 - if they are to stand a chance of advancing.
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