AFC Champions League Two
With the group stage fast approaching the midway point, the-AFC.com takes a look at the state of play in the race for knockout stage spots.
Group A
Esteghlal FC (IRN) v Al Wehdat (JOR)
Venue: Shahr-E Qods Stadium (Shahr-E Qods)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:30 (UTC+3:30)
Al Muharraq SC (BHR) v Al Wasl FC (UAE)
Venue: Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium (Arad)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 21:15 (UTC+3)
Al Muharraq SC will host Al Wasl in a meeting between two teams with perfect records.
Esteghlal FC (IRN) v Al Wehdat (JOR)
Venue: Shahr-E Qods Stadium (Shahr-E Qods)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:30 (UTC+3:30)
Al Muharraq SC (BHR) v Al Wasl FC (UAE)
Venue: Sheikh Ali Bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Stadium (Arad)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 21:15 (UTC+3)
Al Muharraq SC will host Al Wasl in a meeting between two teams with perfect records.
#ACLTwo - Preview: Matchday Three
Bahrain's Al Muharraq defeated Islamic Republic of Iran's Esteghlal FC 1-0 three weeks ago while UAE's Al Wasl beat Al Wehdat of Jordan 2-1.
With the sides set for a double header, victory for either team on Wednesday will take them within touching distance of a knockout stage spot.
Esteghlal will host Al Wehdat and neither team can afford to drop points after having suffered defeats in their opening two matches.
With the sides set for a double header, victory for either team on Wednesday will take them within touching distance of a knockout stage spot.
Esteghlal will host Al Wehdat and neither team can afford to drop points after having suffered defeats in their opening two matches.
Group B
PFC Andijon (UZB) v Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)
Venue: Bobur Arena (Andijan)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 18:45 (UTC+5)
Al Ahli SC (QAT) v FK Arkadag (TKM)
Venue: Al Thumama Stadium (Doha)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+3)
Al Khaldiya SC will be aiming to maintain their position at the top of Group B when they travel to face Uzbekistan's PFC Andijon.
PFC Andijon (UZB) v Al Khaldiya SC (BHR)
Venue: Bobur Arena (Andijan)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 18:45 (UTC+5)
Al Ahli SC (QAT) v FK Arkadag (TKM)
Venue: Al Thumama Stadium (Doha)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+3)
Al Khaldiya SC will be aiming to maintain their position at the top of Group B when they travel to face Uzbekistan's PFC Andijon.
The Bahraini side defeated Turkmenistan's FK Arkadag 2-0 on Matchday Two to emerge as the only team in the group to have registered a victory after two rounds of games.
A win for Andijon, who are on two points, will see them leapfrogging Al Khaldiya in the standings.
Qatar's Al Ahli SC will also be aiming for three points following two draws but can expect 2024-2025 AFC Challenge League winners Arkadag to be firing on all cylinders.
A win for Andijon, who are on two points, will see them leapfrogging Al Khaldiya in the standings.
Qatar's Al Ahli SC will also be aiming for three points following two draws but can expect 2024-2025 AFC Challenge League winners Arkadag to be firing on all cylinders.
Group C
Ahal FC (TKM) v Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan FC (IRN)
Venue: Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium (Isfahan)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 17:15 (UTC+4)
Ahal FC and Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan FC will be equally desperate for victory when they square off in Group C.
Ahal FC (TKM) v Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan FC (IRN)
Venue: Naghsh-e-Jahan Stadium (Isfahan)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 17:15 (UTC+4)
Ahal FC and Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan FC will be equally desperate for victory when they square off in Group C.
Al Hussein have already defeated both sides and look set to claim one of the two knockout stage spots.
Turkmenistan's Ahal were beaten 4-1 by Al Hussein while the Jordanian side edged Sepahan 1-0, leaving victory as the only option for both sides on Tuesday.
Turkmenistan's Ahal were beaten 4-1 by Al Hussein while the Jordanian side edged Sepahan 1-0, leaving victory as the only option for both sides on Tuesday.
Group D
FC Goa (IND) v Al Nassr Club (KSA)
Venue: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Goa)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:15 (UTC+5:30)
FC Istiklol (TJK) v Al Zawraa SC (IRQ)
Venue: Hisor Central Stadium (Hisor)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 18:45 (UTC+5)
Al Nassr Club will seek a third consecutive victory when they travel to FC Goa on Matchday Three.
FC Goa (IND) v Al Nassr Club (KSA)
Venue: Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Goa)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:15 (UTC+5:30)
FC Istiklol (TJK) v Al Zawraa SC (IRQ)
Venue: Hisor Central Stadium (Hisor)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 18:45 (UTC+5)
Al Nassr Club will seek a third consecutive victory when they travel to FC Goa on Matchday Three.
The Saudi Arabian side - in winning their first two matches - scored seven and conceded none and will expect another three points against Goa, who have yet to register a point.
Tajikistan's FC Istiklol and Al Zawraa SC of Iraq will face off in a crucial tie, with both teams on three points.
Tajikistan's FC Istiklol and Al Zawraa SC of Iraq will face off in a crucial tie, with both teams on three points.
Group E
Tai Po FC (HKG) v Beijing FC (CHN)
Venue: Mong Kok Stadium (Hong Kong)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:00 (UTC+8)
Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE) v Macarthur FC (AUS)
Venue: Hang Day Stadium (Hanoi)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Cong An Ha Noi FC impressed in their 3-0 defeat of Tai Po FC on Matchday Two and the Vietnamese side will expect to maintain their fine form against Macarthur FC.
Tai Po FC (HKG) v Beijing FC (CHN)
Venue: Mong Kok Stadium (Hong Kong)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:00 (UTC+8)
Cong An Ha Noi FC (VIE) v Macarthur FC (AUS)
Venue: Hang Day Stadium (Hanoi)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Cong An Ha Noi FC impressed in their 3-0 defeat of Tai Po FC on Matchday Two and the Vietnamese side will expect to maintain their fine form against Macarthur FC.
Cong An Ha Noi lead the standings with four points, with Macarthur and Tai Po one adrift.
Australia's Macarthur, however, bounced back into contention with a 3-0 defeat of Beijing FC three weeks ago and will be relishing the challenge.
Tai Po will host Beijing, with both teams equally in need of victory to stay in sight of the knockout stage.
Australia's Macarthur, however, bounced back into contention with a 3-0 defeat of Beijing FC three weeks ago and will be relishing the challenge.
Tai Po will host Beijing, with both teams equally in need of victory to stay in sight of the knockout stage.
Group F
Gamba Osaka (JPN) v Nam Dinh FC (VIE)
Venue: Suita City Football Stadium (Suita)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+9)
Ratchaburi FC (THA) v Eastern FC (HKG)
Venue: Ratchaburi Stadium (Ratchaburi)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Gamba Osaka and Nam Dinh FC will face off in a top-of-the-table clash with both sides on a maximum six points.
Gamba Osaka (JPN) v Nam Dinh FC (VIE)
Venue: Suita City Football Stadium (Suita)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:00 (UTC+9)
Ratchaburi FC (THA) v Eastern FC (HKG)
Venue: Ratchaburi Stadium (Ratchaburi)
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Gamba Osaka and Nam Dinh FC will face off in a top-of-the-table clash with both sides on a maximum six points.
Japan's Gamba - who defeated Thailand's Ratchaburi FC 2-0 on Matchday Two - lead the standings on goal difference.
Vietnam's Nam Dinh, however, have been equally impressive and showed grit to carve out a 1-0 win against Hong Kong's Eastern FC three weeks ago.
Ratchaburi will host Eastern, with both teams needing victory to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
Vietnam's Nam Dinh, however, have been equally impressive and showed grit to carve out a 1-0 win against Hong Kong's Eastern FC three weeks ago.
Ratchaburi will host Eastern, with both teams needing victory to keep their knockout stage hopes alive.
Group G
Persib Bandung (IDN) v Selangor FC (MAS)
Venue: Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium (Bandung)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Bangkok United (THA) v Lion City Sailors FC (SGP)
Venue: Pathum Thani Stadium (Pathum Thani)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Persib Bandung and Lion City Sailors FC will both be out to maintain their grip on Group G as victories on Thursday will take them further clear at the top of Group G.
Persib Bandung (IDN) v Selangor FC (MAS)
Venue: Gelora Bandung Lautan Api Stadium (Bandung)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Bangkok United (THA) v Lion City Sailors FC (SGP)
Venue: Pathum Thani Stadium (Pathum Thani)
Kick-off: Thursday, 19:15 (UTC+7)
Persib Bandung and Lion City Sailors FC will both be out to maintain their grip on Group G as victories on Thursday will take them further clear at the top of Group G.
Both are on four points, with Bangkok United one adrift while Selangor FC have none.
Indonesia's Persib Bandung will host Selangor while Lion City Sailors will travel to face Bangkok United.
Indonesia's Persib Bandung will host Selangor while Lion City Sailors will travel to face Bangkok United.
Group H
Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI) v BG Pathum United (THA)
Venue: New Clark City Athletics Stadium (Capas)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:00 (UTC+8)
Tampines Rovers FC (SGP) v FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)
Venue: Bishan Stadium (Singapore)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:00 (UTC+8)
Group H will also witness a meeting between two sides with perfect records, with Tampines Rovers FC hosting FC Pohang Steelers.
Kaya FC-Iloilo (PHI) v BG Pathum United (THA)
Venue: New Clark City Athletics Stadium (Capas)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:00 (UTC+8)
Tampines Rovers FC (SGP) v FC Pohang Steelers (KOR)
Venue: Bishan Stadium (Singapore)
Kick-off: Thursday, 18:00 (UTC+8)
Group H will also witness a meeting between two sides with perfect records, with Tampines Rovers FC hosting FC Pohang Steelers.
Singapore's Rover - who defeated Thailand's BG Pathum United 2-1 on Matchday Two - lead the standings on goal difference.
They, however, have to be prepared to face their toughest test yet in the shape of Korea Republic's Pohang Steelers.
The three-time Asian champions easily saw off the challenge of Kaya FC-Iloilo three weeks ago and will expect a third consecutive win.
Philippines side Kaya FC will host BG Pathum in a match both sides desperately have to win after having suffered two defeats.
They, however, have to be prepared to face their toughest test yet in the shape of Korea Republic's Pohang Steelers.
The three-time Asian champions easily saw off the challenge of Kaya FC-Iloilo three weeks ago and will expect a third consecutive win.
Philippines side Kaya FC will host BG Pathum in a match both sides desperately have to win after having suffered two defeats.
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