AFC Champions League Elite
With the season gathering pace, there is hardly any room for error for the 24 hopefuls and the-AFC.com highlights five things to look out for on Matchday Two of the League Stage.
#ACLElite - Preview: Matchday Two
Al Ahli Saudi FC in sight of record
A second-half surge saw Al Ahli Saudi FC complete a come-from-behind 4-2 win against PFC Nasaf on Matchday One and the defending champions are now one tie away from equalling the longest unbeaten run of 20 games in the competition.
A second-half surge saw Al Ahli Saudi FC complete a come-from-behind 4-2 win against PFC Nasaf on Matchday One and the defending champions are now one tie away from equalling the longest unbeaten run of 20 games in the competition.
Jointly held by Saudi Pro League rivals Al Hilal SFC and Ulsan HD of Korea Republic, Al Ahli - who are on an eight-match winning run in the AFC Champions League Elite - face Qatar's Al Duhail SC on Monday and will be confident of another three points.
China PR clubs under pressure
All three China PR clubs will be determined to deliver after suffering defeats on the opening matchday.
All three China PR clubs will be determined to deliver after suffering defeats on the opening matchday.
Reigning Chinese Super League champions Shanghai Port FC were beaten 3-0 by Japan's Vissel Kobe while Chengdu Rongcheng and Shanghai Shenhua FC were edged 2-1 by Korea Republic's Ulsan HD and Gangwon FC respectively.
Shanghai Port face a daunting away game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima of Japan, Rongcheng welcome Gangwon to Chengdu while Shenhua will host Vissel Kobe - with all three knowing that getting points on the board is a must.
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Eyes on Al Ittihad
Al Ittihad Club will be on a mission to get their campaign back on track after suffering a 2-1 defeat to UAE's Al Wahda FC in their season opener.
While defeat was inflicted by the winning goal being scored in the eighth minute of added time, the reigning Saudi Pro League champions - who were missing key players - only attempted two shots against Al Wahda and this has to improve against a Shabab Al Ahli side who recorded an impressive 28 against Islamic Republic of Iran's Tractor FC.
Al Ittihad Club will be on a mission to get their campaign back on track after suffering a 2-1 defeat to UAE's Al Wahda FC in their season opener.
While defeat was inflicted by the winning goal being scored in the eighth minute of added time, the reigning Saudi Pro League champions - who were missing key players - only attempted two shots against Al Wahda and this has to improve against a Shabab Al Ahli side who recorded an impressive 28 against Islamic Republic of Iran's Tractor FC.
Tough Vissel Kobe test for Melbourne City
It only gets harder for Melbourne City FC with Japanese champions Vissel Kobe up next for them.
It only gets harder for Melbourne City FC with Japanese champions Vissel Kobe up next for them.
The Australian outfit suffered a 2-0 home defeat against Sanfrecce Hiroshima two weeks ago and now have to contend with a Vissel Kobe side who were highly impressive in their win against Shanghai Port.
With their domestic season only kicking off mid-October, Melbourne City were not as sharp as they would have liked to be against Sanfrecce and Aurelio Vidmar's side must up their game if they are to take something from Vissel Kobe.
With their domestic season only kicking off mid-October, Melbourne City were not as sharp as they would have liked to be against Sanfrecce and Aurelio Vidmar's side must up their game if they are to take something from Vissel Kobe.
Sharjah need defensive resilience
Sharjah FC beat Qatar's Al Gharafa SC 4-3 in their opener, with two of their goals being scored in added time at the end of the second half.
Sharjah FC beat Qatar's Al Gharafa SC 4-3 in their opener, with two of their goals being scored in added time at the end of the second half.
#ACLElite | Sharjah FC (UAE) 4-3 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)
It was breathtaking stuff and the UAE side, who lifted the AFC Champions League Two™ trophy last season, will be buzzing for their encounter with Qatar's Al Sadd on Monday.
They need to, however, focus on being defensively resilient as Al Gharafa led 2-0 and 3-2 before succumbing to defeat and Al Sadd, in need of a win after kicking off with a draw against Iraq's Al Shorta, may not be so charitable.
They need to, however, focus on being defensively resilient as Al Gharafa led 2-0 and 3-2 before succumbing to defeat and Al Sadd, in need of a win after kicking off with a draw against Iraq's Al Shorta, may not be so charitable.
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