Who are the knockout round contenders in the AFC Champions League Elite?
With the ACL Elite knockout round getting underway, we take a look at the 16 contenders still in the running.
Shandong: Mass 'physical discomfort' reason behind abrupt ACL withdrawal
Shandong Taishan have provided an explanation behind their abrupt withdrawal from the AFC Champions League Elite.
Shandong withdrawal could throw ACL Elite into disarray
Shandong Taishan's withdrawal on the final day of the league stage could throw the ACL Elite into disarray.
JDT, Buriram fly the flag for Southeast Asia with ACL Elite progress
ASEAN upstarts JDT and Buriram are both through to the AFC Champions League Elite knockout round.
Sanfrecce lay down a marker but are Vissel still the team to beat in J1 League?
Sanfrecce Hiroshima have started 2025 on a high -- but are Vissel Kobe still the team to beat in the J1 League?
Japan's ACL Elite dominance continues as Vissel, Marinos and Frontale advance
Japanese football is dominating the East Region of the AFC Champions League Elite with all three clubs marching on.
Suphanat's star still shining bright even after return from Europe
Suphanat Mueanta may be back at Buriram United but his star is still shining as bright as ever.
González becomes unlikely two-goal hero as JDT edge closer to ACL Elite progress
Debutant Álvaro González's unlikely turn as a two-goal hero helped Johor Darul Ta'zim to a crucial ACL Elite win.
Buriram reach ASEAN Club semis to keep hopes of dream final rematch alive
With Buriram through to the ASEAN Club semis, a dream final rematch with Công An Hà Nội remains on the cards.
Echegaray: Jhon Durán always had an eye on an Aston Villa exit (2:02)
Famous win just eludes Sailors as Buriram hold out for valuable point
Lion City Sailors just failed to claim another impressive win -- this time against Thai giants Buriram United.
In-form Buriram resume ASEAN Club campaign gunning for success on multiple fronts
Buriram United are eager to go all the way in the ASEAN Club Championship despite juggling multiple commitments.
Sailors ready for challenge against 'Southeast Asia's best' Buriram
Lion City Sailors are aware they will be coming up against one of Southeast Asia's best in Buriram United.
Former giants Guangzhou denied license for 2025
Fallen Asian giants Guangzhou have been denied permission to play in 2025 by the Chinese Football Association.
The Man United Christmas pantomime that had Ronaldo and Nani fuming (1:56)
Suphanat has gone from teenage prodigy to Thailand's main man at just 22
Still only 22, Suphanat Mueanta is one of Thailand's seasoned campaigners leading their ASEAN Championship charge.
Feisty JDT-Buriram draw is ASEAN football at its bizarre best
Tuesday's ACL Elite draw between JDT and Buriram was ASEAN football at its best and most bizarre.
J1 League down to the wire with three teams a chance to become final-day champions
The J1 League will crown its 2024 champions this weekend with three teams still a chance of winning it.
JDT hit by sucker punch after Arif denied another star turn by Wang's heroics
Arif Aiman would have produced yet another star turn in the ACL Elite -- if not for the heroics of Wang Dalei.
Ronaldo double bolsters Al Nassr's ACL place
Ivan Toney came off the bench to score twice and earn Al-Ahli a 2-1 win over Al-Ain on Monday that moves the Saudi side into the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League Elite and leaves the defending champions in danger of missing out on the...
Toney feasts on Mahrez deliveries for maiden continental club goals
Ivan Toney scored his first continental club goals on Monday -- and he had a certain Riyad Mahrez to thank.
Who are the standouts at the halfway mark of the ACL Elite league stage?
With the ACL Elite league stage at its halfway mark, we look at the teams that have shone the brightest so far.
Diego Forlán plays first game of professional tennis (2:41)
AFC Champions League Elite Standings
| Group East | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yokohama F. Marinos | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | +14 | 18 |
| Kawasaki Frontale | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | +9 | 15 |
| Johor Darul Ta'zim | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | +8 | 14 |
| Gwangju FC | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | +6 | 14 |
| Vissel Kobe | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | +5 | 13 |
| Buriram United | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | -5 | 12 |
| Shanghai Shenhua | 8 | 3 | 1 | 4 | +1 | 10 |
| Shanghai Port | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -8 | 8 |
| Pohang Steelers | 7 | 2 | 0 | 5 | -8 | 6 |
| Ulsan Hyundai | 7 | 1 | 0 | 6 | -12 | 3 |
| Central Coast Mariners | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | -10 | 1 |
| Shandong Taishan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Group West | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Al Hilal | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | +19 | 22 |
| Al Ahli | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | +13 | 22 |
| Al Nassr | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +11 | 17 |
| Al Sadd | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | +1 | 12 |
| Al Wasl | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | -4 | 11 |
| Esteghlal | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -1 | 9 |
| Al Rayyan | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -4 | 8 |
| Pakhtakor Tashkent | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | -2 | 7 |
| Persepolis | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | -4 | 7 |
| Al Gharafa | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | -8 | 7 |
| Al-Shorta | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -10 | 6 |
| Al-Ain | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | -11 | 2 |