AFC Champions League Two
The battle for knockout stage spots will heat up, with teams either looking to strengthen their position or reviving their hopes.
The-AFC.com takes a look at how the groups stand ahead of what will surely be an eventful Matchday Four.
The-AFC.com takes a look at how the groups stand ahead of what will surely be an eventful Matchday Four.
#ACLTwo - Preview: Matchday Four
Group A
Al Wasl FC (UAE) v Al Muharraq SC (BHR)
Venue: Zabeel Stadium (Dubai)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 17:45 (UTC+4)
Al Wehdat (JOR) v Esteghlal FC (IRN)
Venue: King Abdullah II Stadium (Amman)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 21:15 (UTC+3)
Al Wasl FC will target victory when they face Bahrain's Al Muharraq SC as the pace-setting UAE side look to stay perfect in Group A.
Al Wasl FC (UAE) v Al Muharraq SC (BHR)
Venue: Zabeel Stadium (Dubai)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 17:45 (UTC+4)
Al Wehdat (JOR) v Esteghlal FC (IRN)
Venue: King Abdullah II Stadium (Amman)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 21:15 (UTC+3)
Al Wasl FC will target victory when they face Bahrain's Al Muharraq SC as the pace-setting UAE side look to stay perfect in Group A.
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Al Wasl have been peerless so far and will be confident of their chances against an Al Muharraq side who are reeling from two consecutive defeats.
The latest was last week's rescheduled Matchday Five tie where they went down 2-1 to Jordan's Al Wehdat, which left them three points behind Al Wasl, who have a match in hand.
Al Wehdat, who finally got on the winning trail after three defeats, will aim to make it two out of two when they face off against Islamic Republic of Iran's Esteghal FC, with both teams on three points.
The latest was last week's rescheduled Matchday Five tie where they went down 2-1 to Jordan's Al Wehdat, which left them three points behind Al Wasl, who have a match in hand.
Al Wehdat, who finally got on the winning trail after three defeats, will aim to make it two out of two when they face off against Islamic Republic of Iran's Esteghal FC, with both teams on three points.
Group B
FK Arkadag (TKM) v Al Ahli SC (QAT)
Venue: Arkadag Stadium (Arkadag)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 18:45 (UTC+5)
Al Khaldiya SC (BHR) v PFC Andijon (UZB)
Venue: Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium (Arad)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+3)
Al Ahli SC will aim to maintain their grip on the Group B top spot when they travel to face FK Arkadag on Wednesday.
FK Arkadag (TKM) v Al Ahli SC (QAT)
Venue: Arkadag Stadium (Arkadag)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 18:45 (UTC+5)
Al Khaldiya SC (BHR) v PFC Andijon (UZB)
Venue: Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium (Arad)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+3)
Al Ahli SC will aim to maintain their grip on the Group B top spot when they travel to face FK Arkadag on Wednesday.
The Qatari side hold a one-point lead after defeating Al Khaldiya 2-1 in their rescheduled Matchday Five encounter last week.
Arkadag, with just two points on the board, will be desperate for victory as defeat could well mean an early exit for the AFC Challenge League 2024-2025 winners.
Defeat on home soil left Al Khaldiya one point adrift of Al Ahli and the Bahraini side will be determined to not slip up again when they meet Uzbekistan’s PFC Andijon, who will also be eyeing victory as it would take them above Wednesday’s opponents.
Arkadag, with just two points on the board, will be desperate for victory as defeat could well mean an early exit for the AFC Challenge League 2024-2025 winners.
Defeat on home soil left Al Khaldiya one point adrift of Al Ahli and the Bahraini side will be determined to not slip up again when they meet Uzbekistan’s PFC Andijon, who will also be eyeing victory as it would take them above Wednesday’s opponents.
Group C
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC (IRN) v Ahal FC (TKM)
Venue: Naghsh-E-Jahan Stadium (Isfahan)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:30 (UTC+3:30)
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC will confirm knockout stage qualification with victory over Ahal FC on Tuesday.
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC (IRN) v Ahal FC (TKM)
Venue: Naghsh-E-Jahan Stadium (Isfahan)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:30 (UTC+3:30)
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan SC will confirm knockout stage qualification with victory over Ahal FC on Tuesday.
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The Islamic Republic of Iran side defeated Turkmenistan's Ahal 1-0 on Matchday Three, with Kaveh Rezaei scoring the winner in the 82nd minute.
Sepahan - with their fans backing them - will be confident of doing the double over Ahal, with victory for the Iranian side also confirming Al Hussein's progress into the Round of 16 from the three-team group.
Sepahan - with their fans backing them - will be confident of doing the double over Ahal, with victory for the Iranian side also confirming Al Hussein's progress into the Round of 16 from the three-team group.
Group D
Al Zawraa SC (IRQ) v FC Istiklol (TJK)
Venue: Al Zawraa Stadium (Baghdad)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+3)
Al Nassr Club (KSA) v FC Goa (IND)
Venue: King Saud University Stadium (Riyadh)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 21:15 (UTC+3)
Al Nassr Club may well seal their place in the Round of 16 with two matches to spare on Matchday Four.
Al Zawraa SC (IRQ) v FC Istiklol (TJK)
Venue: Al Zawraa Stadium (Baghdad)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+3)
Al Nassr Club (KSA) v FC Goa (IND)
Venue: King Saud University Stadium (Riyadh)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 21:15 (UTC+3)
Al Nassr Club may well seal their place in the Round of 16 with two matches to spare on Matchday Four.
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The Riyadh-based side stayed perfect with a 2-1 win over FC Goa two weeks ago and will expect maximum points again in the reverse fixture.
Al Nassr sit three points clear of Tajikistan's FC Istiklol, who will look to tighten their grip on the second knockout stage spot from the group with victory against Al Zawraa SC.
A win will be the Iraqi side's only option, having lost the reverse fixture 2-1 - which left them three points adrift of Istiklol.
Al Nassr sit three points clear of Tajikistan's FC Istiklol, who will look to tighten their grip on the second knockout stage spot from the group with victory against Al Zawraa SC.
A win will be the Iraqi side's only option, having lost the reverse fixture 2-1 - which left them three points adrift of Istiklol.
Group E
Macarthur FC (AUS) v Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)
Venue: Campbell Town Sports Stadium (Sydney)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:45 (UTC+11)
Beijing FC (CHN) v Tai Po FC (HKG)
Venue: Workers' Stadium (Beijing)
Kick-off: Thursday, 20:15 (UTC+8)
Group E is set for a thrilling matchday with all four teams still very much in the running for the two knockout stage spots.
Macarthur FC (AUS) v Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE)
Venue: Campbell Town Sports Stadium (Sydney)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:45 (UTC+11)
Beijing FC (CHN) v Tai Po FC (HKG)
Venue: Workers' Stadium (Beijing)
Kick-off: Thursday, 20:15 (UTC+8)
Group E is set for a thrilling matchday with all four teams still very much in the running for the two knockout stage spots.
Both matches ended in stalemates two weeks ago with Cong An Ha Noi FC denied victory by a later Macarthur FC equaliser.
The Vietnamese side hung on to their position at the top but only lead by a point and defeat to Macarthur will see the Australian side going two clear.
The Tai Po FC-Beijing FC tie was even more thrilling, with the Hong Kong side squandering a two-goal lead and then needing a 90th minute equaliser to salvage a 3-3 draw.
The result took them to four points but victory for Beijing - who are two adrift - will see the China PR side leapfrogging Tai Po in the standings.
The Vietnamese side hung on to their position at the top but only lead by a point and defeat to Macarthur will see the Australian side going two clear.
The Tai Po FC-Beijing FC tie was even more thrilling, with the Hong Kong side squandering a two-goal lead and then needing a 90th minute equaliser to salvage a 3-3 draw.
The result took them to four points but victory for Beijing - who are two adrift - will see the China PR side leapfrogging Tai Po in the standings.
Group F
Nam Dinh FC (VIE) v Gamba Osaka (JPN)
Venue: Thien Truong Stadium (Nam Dinh)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Eastern FC (HKG) v Ratchaburi FC (THA)
Venue: Mong Kok Stadium (Hong Kong)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 20:15 (UTC+8)
Gamba Osaka will be seeking a win that will likely confirm their knockout stage spot when they travel to face Vietnam's Nam Dinh FC on Wednesday.
Nam Dinh FC (VIE) v Gamba Osaka (JPN)
Venue: Thien Truong Stadium (Nam Dinh)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Eastern FC (HKG) v Ratchaburi FC (THA)
Venue: Mong Kok Stadium (Hong Kong)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 20:15 (UTC+8)
Gamba Osaka will be seeking a win that will likely confirm their knockout stage spot when they travel to face Vietnam's Nam Dinh FC on Wednesday.
The Japanese side stayed perfect after cruising to a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture but can expect a tougher night at the Thien Truong Stadium as Nam Dinh try to stay ahead of Ratchaburi FC in the standings.
The Vietnamese champions are on six points, three ahead of Thailand's Ratchaburi who defeated Eastern FC of Hong Kong 5-1 for their first points of the season.
Eastern FC - with no points on the board - will host the reverse fixture knowing that victory will be their only option.
The Vietnamese champions are on six points, three ahead of Thailand's Ratchaburi who defeated Eastern FC of Hong Kong 5-1 for their first points of the season.
Eastern FC - with no points on the board - will host the reverse fixture knowing that victory will be their only option.
Group G
Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) v Bangkok United (THA)
Venue: Bishan Stadium (Singapore)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:00 (UTC+8)
Selangor FC (MAS) v Persib Bandung (IDN)
Venue: MBPJ Stadium (Petaling Jaya)
Kick-off: Thursday, 20:15 (UTC+8)
Persib Bandung turned on the style to defeat Selangor FC 2-0, with the Matchday Three win moving the Indonesian side to the top of the Group G standings on seven points.
Lion City Sailors FC (SGP) v Bangkok United (THA)
Venue: Bishan Stadium (Singapore)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:00 (UTC+8)
Selangor FC (MAS) v Persib Bandung (IDN)
Venue: MBPJ Stadium (Petaling Jaya)
Kick-off: Thursday, 20:15 (UTC+8)
Persib Bandung turned on the style to defeat Selangor FC 2-0, with the Matchday Three win moving the Indonesian side to the top of the Group G standings on seven points.
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They will fancy their chances of another win in the reverse fixture but Malaysia's Selangor - after three defeats - need to get cracking if their campaign is to continue into the knockout stage.
Muhsen Al Ghassani's 63rd minute goal secured Bangkok United a hard-fought 1-0 win against Lion City Sailors FC and the two can be expected to slug it out again.
The win moved Thailand's Bangkok United up to six points, with Singapore's Lion City Sailors one adrift and the AFC Champions League 2024-2025 runners-up know they can't afford another defeat.
Muhsen Al Ghassani's 63rd minute goal secured Bangkok United a hard-fought 1-0 win against Lion City Sailors FC and the two can be expected to slug it out again.
The win moved Thailand's Bangkok United up to six points, with Singapore's Lion City Sailors one adrift and the AFC Champions League 2024-2025 runners-up know they can't afford another defeat.
Group H
FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) v Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)
Venue: Steelyard (Pohang)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:00 (UTC+9)
BG Pathum United (THA) v Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI)
Venue: Pathum Thani Stadium (Pathum Thani)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Tampines Rovers FC produced the result of Matchday Three, with the Singapore side stunning three-time Asian champions Pohang Steelers 1-0, with Hide Higashikawa scoring in the opening minute as they moved up to nine points.
FC Pohang Steelers (KOR) v Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)
Venue: Steelyard (Pohang)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:00 (UTC+9)
BG Pathum United (THA) v Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI)
Venue: Pathum Thani Stadium (Pathum Thani)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Tampines Rovers FC produced the result of Matchday Three, with the Singapore side stunning three-time Asian champions Pohang Steelers 1-0, with Hide Higashikawa scoring in the opening minute as they moved up to nine points.
The Singaporean side came under heavy pressure for the remainder of the tie but frustrated Pohang with their defensive resolve but will know that they face a much tougher reverse with the Korea Republic side having home ground advantage.
Hoping for the top two to slip up will be Thailand’s BG Pathum United, who registered a 2-0 win against Kaya FC-Iloilo after having suffered defeats in their earlier two matches.
Kaya FC are in even more dire straits after three defeats and victory will be the only option for the side from the Philippines.
Hoping for the top two to slip up will be Thailand’s BG Pathum United, who registered a 2-0 win against Kaya FC-Iloilo after having suffered defeats in their earlier two matches.
Kaya FC are in even more dire straits after three defeats and victory will be the only option for the side from the Philippines.
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