AFC Champions League Elite
We've pulled together the standout performers from West to East - now it's your turn to decide who owned the night.
Brahima Diarra — (Al Wahda FC 3–1 Al Duhail SC)
The 22-year-old winger lit the comeback fuse with sheer persistence - seeing his first effort blocked, then driving the rebound low to put Al Wahda ahead. His tempo and direct running kept Al Duhail retreating, and the UAE side rode that momentum to seven points from three. A grown-up performance from a rising talent.
The 22-year-old winger lit the comeback fuse with sheer persistence - seeing his first effort blocked, then driving the rebound low to put Al Wahda ahead. His tempo and direct running kept Al Duhail retreating, and the UAE side rode that momentum to seven points from three. A grown-up performance from a rising talent.
Moussa Diaby — (Al Shorta 1–4 Al Ittihad Club)
Houssem Aouar's brace and Fabinho's postage-stamp free-kick headlined the news, but the equaliser changed everything. The French flyer rose above the pack to meet Mahamadou Doumbia’s deft chip, cancelling out Bassam Shakir’s opener and flipping belief back to the Saudi Arabian champions. From there, Al Ittihad found their stride and ran away with it.
Houssem Aouar's brace and Fabinho's postage-stamp free-kick headlined the news, but the equaliser changed everything. The French flyer rose above the pack to meet Mahamadou Doumbia’s deft chip, cancelling out Bassam Shakir’s opener and flipping belief back to the Saudi Arabian champions. From there, Al Ittihad found their stride and ran away with it.
Regi Lushkja — (Sharjah FC 0–5 Tractor FC)
A rapid-fire brace from Regi Lushkja set Tractor on cruise control in the UAE, as the Islamic Republic of Iran side banked their first win of the campaign in style. Arriving in the box with perfect timing, the Albanian playmaker finished with cold precision—once, then again—before dictating the tempo while Sharjah unravelled.
A rapid-fire brace from Regi Lushkja set Tractor on cruise control in the UAE, as the Islamic Republic of Iran side banked their first win of the campaign in style. Arriving in the box with perfect timing, the Albanian playmaker finished with cold precision—once, then again—before dictating the tempo while Sharjah unravelled.
Franck Kessie — (Al Ahli Saudi FC 4–0 Al Gharafa SC)
Power, presence, and the killer second goal that broke the contest open. The Ivorian surged into the area to head home during a ruthless nine-minute first-half burst, restoring the champions' swagger. With Kessie patrolling the midfield and punching into the box, Al Ahli climbed to seven points with authority.
Power, presence, and the killer second goal that broke the contest open. The Ivorian surged into the area to head home during a ruthless nine-minute first-half burst, restoring the champions' swagger. With Kessie patrolling the midfield and punching into the box, Al Ahli climbed to seven points with authority.
Federico Cartabia — (Shabab Al Ahli 4–1 PFC Nasaf)
Class in the pockets, end product where it hurts. The Argentine opened the scoring with a sharp header, then bent a wicked free-kick that Renan Victor converted as the bounce wrong-footed Oleksandr Vorobei. With Cartabia pulling strings between the lines, the Dubai side moved onto seven points.
Class in the pockets, end product where it hurts. The Argentine opened the scoring with a sharp header, then bent a wicked free-kick that Renan Victor converted as the bounce wrong-footed Oleksandr Vorobei. With Cartabia pulling strings between the lines, the Dubai side moved onto seven points.
Kalidou Koulibaly — (Al Hilal SFC 3–1 Al Sadd SC)
When the moment arrived, the captain answered—thundering home a header from Rúben Neves' inch-perfect delivery to complete the turnaround. From there, the back line shut the door, and the leaders kept their perfect start intact.
When the moment arrived, the captain answered—thundering home a header from Rúben Neves' inch-perfect delivery to complete the turnaround. From there, the back line shut the door, and the leaders kept their perfect start intact.
Goran Causic — (Melbourne City FC 2–1 Buriram United)
The Serbian midfielder stole a march to stab in from close range on 72 minute, a poacher's finish from a playmaker's brain. It looked like the platform for a famous away night - until a late Melbourne surge flipped the script. Even in defeat, the Thai champions' engine was outstanding.
The Serbian midfielder stole a march to stab in from close range on 72 minute, a poacher's finish from a playmaker's brain. It looked like the platform for a famous away night - until a late Melbourne surge flipped the script. Even in defeat, the Thai champions' engine was outstanding.
Kim Min-hyeok — (Ulsan HD FC 1–0 Sanfrecce Hiroshima)
A headed strike on 12 minutes, then 90 minutes of resolve. The Ulsan forward's early finish gave the K League 1 side the scoreboard leverage they needed, and they showed steel to survive a late Sanfrecce push. A matchwinner's poise in a tactical chess game.
A headed strike on 12 minutes, then 90 minutes of resolve. The Ulsan forward's early finish gave the K League 1 side the scoreboard leverage they needed, and they showed steel to survive a late Sanfrecce push. A matchwinner's poise in a tactical chess game.
Arif Aiman — (Chengdu Rongcheng FC 0–2 Johor Darul Ta'zim FC)
No goal on the sheet, but the Malaysian maestro orchestrated everything in a hostile Phoenix Hill Sports Park Stadium cauldron. His movement, first touch and choices in transition pulled Chengdu apart, guiding JDT to their first win of the tournament. In a night for cool heads, he was ice.
No goal on the sheet, but the Malaysian maestro orchestrated everything in a hostile Phoenix Hill Sports Park Stadium cauldron. His movement, first touch and choices in transition pulled Chengdu apart, guiding JDT to their first win of the tournament. In a night for cool heads, he was ice.
Yuki Soma — (Shanghai Port FC 0–2 FC Machida Zelvia)
Debutants, but anything but naive. After an own goal tilted the balance, the Japan international arrived at precisely the right moment to sweep home the second, brilliant run, crisp finish. A historic first continental triumph for Machida, underpinned by his timing and final touch.
Debutants, but anything but naive. After an own goal tilted the balance, the Japan international arrived at precisely the right moment to sweep home the second, brilliant run, crisp finish. A historic first continental triumph for Machida, underpinned by his timing and final touch.
Kim Gun-hee — (Gangwon FC 4–3 Vissel Kobe)
A seven-goal rollercoaster demanded a last act—and the Korean No 9 delivered, lashing in the back of the net five minutes into added time. Kobe had mounted a wild comeback, but the late strike iced it for the hosts. A dramatic full stop on a breathless night.
A seven-goal rollercoaster demanded a last act—and the Korean No 9 delivered, lashing in the back of the net five minutes into added time. Kobe had mounted a wild comeback, but the late strike iced it for the hosts. A dramatic full stop on a breathless night.
Andre Luis — ( Shanghai Shenhua FC 2–0 FC Seoul)
With Shenhua needing a first win of the campaign, the Brazilian forward sealed it in the 89th minute. Sharp movement, ruthless finish, Luis sealed the win to earn his side a victory that took the Chinese Super League outfit onto four points from three games and level with Kim Gi-dong’s team.
With Shenhua needing a first win of the campaign, the Brazilian forward sealed it in the 89th minute. Sharp movement, ruthless finish, Luis sealed the win to earn his side a victory that took the Chinese Super League outfit onto four points from three games and level with Kim Gi-dong’s team.
Your vote decides. Pick your Player of the Match for MD3, share your choice on the AFC LIVE app, and check back for the winner on the-AFC.com.
Poll ends at 17:00 (UTC+8) on November 2
