Kuroda's journey from high school teacher to ACL Elite final is truly stranger than fiction
After 30 years coaching high school football, Go Kuroda has now reached the biggest stage of all in Asian club football.
'Turning football into rubble': Chaos reigns in ACL after VAR intervenes over substitution
In what is possibly a world-first, VAR overturned a goal over a substitution -- and it led to a controversial Asian Champions League semifinal exit.
Machida's dream debut continues on to ACL Elite final amid hugely controversial finish
Machida Zelvia are through to the ACL Elite final but only after a wild, controversial finish to their win over Shabab Al Ahli.
Vissel's tears showed just how much they wanted to reach ACL Elite final
After their semifinal exit from the AFC Champions League Elite, Vissel Kobe's despair was undeniable at the final whistle.
Toney puts Al Ahli in AFC Champions League final
Defending champion Al Ahli reached the final of the AFC Champions League Elite after Ivan Toney's second-half goal beat Vissel Kobe of Japan 2-1 on Monday.
Just as he promised, Toney fires Al Ahli into AFC Champions League Elite final
With just his second goal of the campaign, Ivan Toney has fired Al Ahli into the AFC Champions League Elite final.
Vissel fall short in semis again as Al Ahli pull off another comeback to close in on title defence
Al Ahli are through to a second consecutive AFC Champions League Elite final after coming from behind to beat Vissel Kobe 2-1.
Machida Zelvia continue to aim for dream ACL Elite triumph on debut
Ahead of their semifinal against Shabab Al Ahli, Machida Zelvia continue to dream of winning the AFC Champions League Elite on debut.
Toney backing himself to fire Al Ahli into ACL Elite final
Although he's scored just once in the ACL Elite this season, Ivan Toney remains confident he can make the difference in the semis.
Sakai calls for Vissel to show courage against star-studded Al Ahli
Vissel Kobe's Gōtoku Sakai has called on his team to show courage against a star-studded Al Ahli outfit.
Could Vissel, Machida make it an all-Japanese ACL Elite final?
A Vissel-Machida final would be the first contested by two teams from the same country in the AFC Champions League era.
Yengi keeps Machida's fairytale ACL Elite debut going as Jeddah's dream final is scuppered
As Jeddah's dream ACL Elite final evaporated on Friday evening, Machida's fairytale debut continued into the semifinals.
JDT left to rue what could have been after letting win slip against ten-man Al Ahli
JDT let an advantageous position slip out of their hands as they were eliminated from the ACL Elite by Al Ahli.
Buriram ready to go 'one step further' and reach ACL Elite semis
Buriram United are looking to go further than they ever have by reaching the AFC Champions League Elite semifinals.
Eight years on from Kashima triumph, Shoji eyes new ACL Elite glory with Machida
An Asian champion in 2018, Gen Shoji is gunning for more glory with AFC Champions League Elite debutants Machida Zelvia.
Vissel's old guard rally to overcome Firmino masterclass and reach ACL Elite semis
Vissel Kobe have prevailed in a thriller against Al Sadd to reach the semifinals of the AFC Champions League Elite.
Finally in the ACL Elite quarterfinals, JDT will have to pass biggest test of all to go any further
JDT have finally reached the ACL Elite quarterfinals. They will have to pass the biggest test of all to go any further.
Are Vissel Kobe the East region's best chance in the ACL Elite finals?
Amid the expected dominance from the West in the AFC Champions League Elite, Vissel Kobe could just fly the flag for the East.
Iran's Traktor lands in Jeddah for ACL round of 16
Iranian club Tractor arrived in Saudi Arabia amid the war in the Middle East and confirmed Monday it will play in the AFC Champions League Elite round of 16.
Dream Europe move or romance of the one-club man? Shunki Higashi isn't thinking about either
There are many paths Shunki Higashi's career could go next. He isn't too worried about thinking what it might be.
Iran bans sports teams' travel to 'hostile' nations
Iran has banned its sports teams from traveling to countries it considers "hostile," Iranian state TV reported Thursday ahead of Tractor FC's scheduled soccer game in Saudi Arabia.
JDT edge closer to unbeaten league world record -- but when, and how, will they make history?
Johor Darul Ta'zim are now five games away from setting a new world record of most consecutive league games unbeaten.
Evolution, not revolution, the way forward for Sanfrecce under Gaul
Even with a new coach at the helm, Sanfrecce Hiroshima look like they will challenge for top honours again in the J1 League this season.
Five years on, longest-serving stalwarts Bérgson, Lowry finally write new chapter in JDT history
Five years from their arrivals, Bérgson and Shane Lowry have finally helped JDT reach the ACL Elite quarterfinals for the first time.
JDT revel in villain role to survive late Sanfrecce scare and reach historic ACL Elite quarterfinal
JDT were given a villain's reception but survived the hostile treatment -- and a late scare -- to make history in the ACL Elite.
AFC Champions League Elite Table
| Group East | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machida Zelvia | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +8 | 17 |
| Vissel Kobe | 8 | 5 | 1 | 2 | +7 | 16 |
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +4 | 15 |
| Buriram United | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +2 | 14 |
| Melbourne City FC | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +2 | 14 |
| Johor Darul Ta'zim | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | +1 | 11 |
| FC Seoul | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | +1 | 10 |
| Gangwon FC | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -2 | 9 |
| Ulsan HD | 8 | 2 | 3 | 3 | -2 | 9 |
| Chengdu Rongcheng | 8 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -4 | 6 |
| Shanghai Shenhua | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -8 | 4 |
| Shanghai Port | 8 | 0 | 4 | 4 | -9 | 4 |
| Group West | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Al Hilal | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | +11 | 22 |
| Al Ahli | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +12 | 17 |
| Traktor Sazi FC | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | +8 | 17 |
| Al Ittihad | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | +13 | 15 |
| Al-Wahda | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | +4 | 14 |
| Shabab Al-Ahli | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 11 |
| Al Duhail | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 8 |
| Al Sadd | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -4 | 8 |
| Sharjah | 8 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -8 | 8 |
| Al Gharafa | 8 | 2 | 0 | 6 | -14 | 6 |
| Al-Shorta | 8 | 1 | 2 | 5 | -14 | 5 |
| Nasaf Qarshi | 8 | 1 | 1 | 6 | -8 | 4 |