AFC Champions League Elite - Matchday 5: What they said

AFC Champions League Elite
#ACLElite - MD5: What they said
Sat, 30 November, 2024

Kuala Lumpur: Joy, relief and frustration were all part of Matchday Five of the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25.

Three of the eight West Zone knockout stage were filled but there were plenty more talking points, as the-AFC.com finds.

“The team needs strong reinforcements in the winter transfer period.”

Matthias Jaissle is determined to strengthen Al Ahli Saudi FC despite his side maintaining a perfect record and sealing their knockout stage spot with three matches to spare.

“A little bit disappointed because we didn’t get the full points. I feel this game was in our hands, especially in the second half, but we did not take the chances."

Pitso Mosimane was left ruing after Esteghlal FC settled for a draw against Pakhtakor.

“We played with the same style of play that we are accustomed to and created many chances from which we scored three goals.”

Al Nassr Club head coach Stefano Pioli was delighted with Al Nassr Club's clinical performance against Al Gharafa, with the Saudi Arabian side advancing to the next stage with three matches to spare.

"The point against Al Rayyan is not enough for us, especially since we were not able to maintain our lead."

Assistant coach Seyed Jalal Hosseini did not disguise his disappointment after Persepolis FC settled for a draw against Al Rayyan SC.

“What we wanted was to have our destiny in our own hands and in the last three rounds, we have kept that hope alive. I believe one more good game will be enough for us to advance."

Milos Milojevic is optimistic UAE side Al Wasl will book their place in the knockout stage.

“If we want to succeed, we must manage in the required manner. Pressure and fatigue are the fate of big clubs that compete in all tournaments and we are up to the task.”

Jorge Jesus expects Al Hilal SFC to keep pushing despite their punishing schedule.

“Even though at that point the momentum was with Central Coast, we kept our belief that we could win and ultimately we found the third goal. It was a difficult game because we only had two days’ rest after the Emperor’s Cup final but everyone was so focused, I can only say I’m so proud of the team.

Takayuki Yoshida was proud of the resilience Vissel Kobe showed as they held off Central Coast Mariners to stay top of the East Zone standings.

"Emotional and physical energy was difficult but we showed real character to overcome the challenge."

Kevin Muscat applauded his Shanghai Port for persevering against Ulsan HD despite being reduced to 10 men.

“There are still another two games to play at home, and I did everything to achieve the result we wanted. It was an impressive performance and I will do the same for the remaining fixtures in Japan.”

Retiring Kawasaki Frontale head coach Toru Oniki is determined to bid farewell with two home wins.

“The lineup is of course risky, but we always have to take risks to win. In the AFC Champions League, all our preparations are 100%, and our efforts are also 100%."

Assistant coach Tang Tian was glad Shandong Taishan FC's tinkering did not stop the China PR side from defeating Johor Darul Ta'zim 1-0.

"We had good movement, good forward runs and we obviously just tried to break down those low blocks that they created. It was not an outstanding performance, but a good performance."

Yokohama F. Marinos head coach John Hutchinson had no issues with his side's gritty performance against Pohang Steelers.

“I am hungry to push myself to be the top scorer in the AFC Champions League. Of course, the best player in the competition is (Crstiano) Ronaldo, and he scored two goals this week. He gives me the motivation to aim for the top scorer title."

Cristiano Ronaldo is Jasir Asani's inspiration as the Gwangju FC striker sets his eyes on emerging the AFC Champions League Elite 2024/25 top scorer.

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