Latest news with #ACLElite
The Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
JDT faces tough ACL Elite draw with top Asian clubs in 2025
JOHOR DARUL TA'ZIM (JDT) will face a stern test in the 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite (ACL Elite). The Malaysian champions were drawn against Chinese Super League winners Shanghai Port FC and Shanghai Shenhua FC. Japan's titleholders Vissel Kobe and Machida Zelvia will also visit the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium in Iskandar Puteri. Shanghai Port are the current Chinese champions, while Vissel Kobe claimed Japan's top-tier league last season. For away matches, JDT will travel to Thailand to face Thai League winners Buriram United. The Southern Tigers will then head to Australia to take on Melbourne City FC. Further fixtures include clashes with Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima and China's Chengdu Rongcheng FC. JDT avoids South Korean sides Gangwon FC, Ulsan HD, and FC Seoul in this edition. Last season, JDT's campaign ended in the round of 16 after a 1-0 aggregate loss to Buriram United. The 2025/26 ACL Elite will run from September 15 to April 25 next year. Teams are split into West and East zones, with each side playing eight matches (four home, four away). Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC headline the West zone alongside Al Hilal and Al Ittihad. The top eight teams from each zone advance to the knockout stage in March 2026. The final stages will be held in Saudi Arabia under a centralised format in April. - Bernama
Barnama
2 days ago
- Sport
- Barnama
Challenging Path Awaits JDT In ACL Elite League Stage
KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- Eleven-time consecutive Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) have been handed a challenging draw for the 2025/26 Asian Football Confederation Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) which includes some of the top clubs from East and Southeast Asia. At the league stage draw held here today, JDT will host Chinese Super League champions Shanghai Port FC and Shanghai Shenhua FC of China, as well as Japan's Vissel Kobe and Machida Zelvia at the Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri. Shanghai Port are the reigning Chinese Super League champions while Vissel Kobe hold the title. bootstrap slideshow For their away fixtures, the Southern Tigers under Xisco Munoz will travel to Thailand to face Thai League holders Buriram United followed by to Australia against Melbourne City FC before taking on Japan's Sanfrecce Hiroshima and China's Chengdu Rongcheng FC. However, JDT will avoid facing three South Korean clubs namely Gangwon FC, Ulsan HD and FC Seoul in this season's campaign. For the record, JDT's campaign last season ended in the round of 16 after losing to Buriram United 0-1 on aggregate. The 2025/26 ACL Elite is scheduled to take place from Sept 15 to April 25 next year. Under the tournament format, the teams are divided into two leagues, the West zone and East zone with each side in their respective league set to face eight different opponents, comprising four home matches and four away fixtures. The West zone features defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC of Saudi Arabia, together with Al Sadd SC, Shabab Al Ahli, Tractor FC, PFC Nasaf, Al Shorta, Al Duhail SC, Sharjah FC, Al Hilal SFC, Al Gharafa SC, Al Wahda FC and Al Ittihad Club.
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
AFC CL Elite and Two draws to be held today
AFC/TNN Doha Asia's finest clubs will learn their paths to continental glory today when the league stage draw for the AFC Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) 2025-26 takes place at the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur. Following the resounding success of the rebranded 2024/25 season, the prestigious competition is set to deliver another edition of thrilling matchups. The draw will feature 24 elite clubs, with the League Stage scheduled to kick off on September 15. Representing Qatar are Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd, Amir Cup winners Al Gharafa, and Al Duhail, who sealed their place with a decisive victory over Iran's Sepahan SC on Tuesday. Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC, who lifted their maiden ACL Elite trophy in May, will return with sights firmly set on back-to-back titles. The Saudi giants are among five former champions in the draw, alongside three debutants: Korea Republic's Gangwon FC, Japan's FC Machida Zelvia, and China PR's Chengdu Rongcheng FC. As Asia's top-tier club tournament returns for its 23rd edition, all eyes are on the draw - the first step on the road to continental supremacy. Meanwhile, the draw for the AFC Champions League Two(ACL Two) 2025-26 will also take place today in Kuala Lumpur, with 32 teams set to discover their Group Stage opponents. The competition, which kicks off on September 16 in a home-and-away round-robin format, will spotlight some of Asia's emerging clubs from 22 Member Associations. PFC Andijon (Uzbekistan) and Cong An Ha Noi FC (Vietnam) are set to make their debut appearances in the Group Stage of an AFC competition, while Al Muharraq SC (Bahrain) stand out as the only former champions in the field. Qatar will be represented by Al Ahli, who secured qualification after finishing fourth in the QSL last season. FC Goa's maiden qualification Captain Sandesh Jhingan sees FC Goa's success in reaching the AFC Champions League Two as the perfect reward for the Indian club's desire to climb to greater heights. Qualification into the group stage was achieved on Wednesday thanks to a hard-fought 2-1 win against Al Seeb Club where the Oman side threatened to stage a comeback and scupper FC Goa's hopes of continental football for the first time since 2021. 'We are very happy with the win,' said Jhingan. Dejan Drazic put FC Goa ahead in the 24th minute before Javier Siverio doubled their advantage eight minutes into the restart, with Nasser Al Rawahi's goal for Al Seeb on the hour mark. FC Goa will now go into Friday's draw as the second representative from India with Mohun Bagan Super Giant also in the mix and Jhingan believes that the entire club deserve their place in Asia.
Perth Now
05-08-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
A-League club's Japanese coup
Melbourne City's bid for domestic and continental glory has been boosted by the signing of AFC Champions League winner Takeshi Kanamori. The experienced attacker will play his final game for Japanese top-flight club Avispa Fukuoka on Wednesday night before his arrival next week in Melbourne to start his two-season deal with City. City's football director Michael Petrillo said the 31-year-old Japanese forward would be a 'fantastic addition' to the reigning A-League champions' squad. 'Takeshi is a player with high-level experience whose technical attributes seamlessly align with our style of play,' Petrillo said. 'His ability to stretch defences, create depth with his runs, and his commitment off the ball make him a great fit for our attacking system. 'He also brings leadership and a winning mentality, having played at the highest level in Asia.' Kanamori was part of the Kashima Antlers squad that won the 2018 AFC Champions League and also tasted Japanese Super Cup and League Cup success. 'With his AFC Champions League experience, we believe Takeshi will be an important asset as we prepare for both our ACL Elite campaign and the upcoming A-League season,' Petrillo said. Kanamori, who has previously played against A-League opposition on the continental stage, is confident of adding to his silverware collection with City. 'I'm truly happy to be joining this wonderful club,' he said. 'I'll do my best, putting all the experience I've gained so far into this project, aiming to not only win the (A-League) championship for the second time in a row but also to win the ACL together.' Kanamori's signing will help City fill the void left by departed Socceroos winger Marco Tilio, who returned to his Scottish club Celtic after his loan spell with the Melbourne outfit ended after last season's grand final success. Tilio had been expected to start a new loan stint with Austrian club Rapid Vienna; however, Celtic has reportedly put the move on hold while searching for another winger to bring to the club.
The Sun
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
JDT targets global football glory under Tunku Mahkota Ismail's vision
JOHOR Darul Ta'zim (JDT) is determined to make its mark on the global football stage, with ambitions to excel in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite and FIFA Club World Cup. The club's vision aligns with the directive of its owner, Tunku Mahkota Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, who has called for JDT to maximize its potential and proudly represent Malaysia internationally. Luis Garcia, JDT's chief executive officer, emphasized that the Regent of Johor's guidance serves as the driving force behind the club's pursuit of excellence. 'His Royal Highness Tunku Mahkota Ismail has commanded that we elevate our performance and proudly fly the Johor and Malaysian flags higher on the international stage,' Garcia stated in a club release. Since 2019, JDT has been Malaysia's sole representative in the ACL Elite, contributing significantly to the country's AFC ranking points. This success has opened doors for more local clubs to compete at the Asian level. 'To keep progressing, we must aim higher, ensuring more Malaysian clubs qualify for continental competitions,' Garcia added. With the FIFA Club World Cup expanding to include more Asian teams, JDT sees an opportunity to secure a spot through its strong Asian club ranking. 'Our goal is to consistently advance in the ACL Elite, improving our standing and positioning Malaysia on the world stage,' Garcia explained. However, he acknowledged the challenges ahead, noting the high competitiveness of Asian football. 'The standard is very high, and maintaining focus is crucial for success. Our new signings for the 2025-26 season reflect this ambition, and JDT's achievements will benefit Malaysian football as a whole.'
