Year in Review: AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25

Kuala Lumpur: The West Zone's cast for the AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 knockout stage had already began to take shape by the end of Matchday Six with five of the eight Round of 16 spots booked.

All berths, however, remain up for grabs in East Zone - setting the stage for exciting action when the continental showpiece resumes in February.

West Zone

Al Hilal SFC led a trio of Saudi Arabian clubs who advanced with two matches to spare, with the four-time Asian champions topping the standings ahead of Al Ahli Saudi FC on goal difference, with both sides on 16 points.

#ACLElite | Al Hilal SFC (KSA) 3 - 0 Al Gharafa SC (QAT)

Al Nassr Club were the third club from Saudi Arabia to book their Round of 16 spot after accumulating 13 points.

Also booking early slots were Qatar's Al Sadd SC and UAE's Al Wasl FC, having collected 12 and 11 points respectively.

#ACLElite | Persepolis FC (IRN) 2 - 1 Al Shorta (IRQ)

Islamic Republic of Iran's Persepolis FC were sixth on six points, with Qatar's Al Rayyan SC and another Iranian side Esteghlal FC one adrift.

Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor and Qatar's Al Gharafa SC ended Matchday Six on four points while UAE's Al Ain FC and Al Shorta of Iraq were on two points.

East Zone

The East Zone is a much tighter affair with all eight knockout stage spots still available.

Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos lead the standings after Matchday Six, ahead of Korea Republic's Gwangju FC and fellow Japanese side Vissel Kobe on goal difference with all three teams on 13 points.

#ACLElite | Central Coast Mariners (AUS) 0 - 4 Yokohama F. Marinos

A third Japanese side, Kawasaki Frontale are fourth on 12 points, three ahead of Korea Republic's FC Pohang Steelers.

Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim, Shanghai Port FC of China PR and Thailand's Buriram United are all tied on eight points.

#ACLElite | Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) 1 - 2 Ulsan HD FC (KOR)

A point adrift are China PR sides Shanghai Shenhua FC and Shandong Taishan FC while Korea Republic's Ulsan HD are on three points.

Australia's Central Coast Mariners, on a single point, are the first team to be eliminated.

The League Stage resumes in February, with the final scheduled for May 24, 2025.

Year in Review: AFC Champions League Elite™ 2024/25 - League Stage

#ACLElite - Arif tops best goal of MD1 (East) poll

Year in Review: AFC Champions League 2™ 2024/25 - Group Stage

Year in Review: AFC Women’s Champions League™ 2024/25 - Group Stage

Year in Review: AFC Challenge League™ 2024/25 - Group Stage

Year in Review: AFC Asian Qualifiers™ - Road to 26