ACL looked destined for West champions -- but it might not be Al Hilal
Saudi Arabia looked certain to produce this season's AFC Champions League winners. Not anymore.
Al Ain ends Al Hilal's 34 game winning streak
Al Hilal's record breaking run of 34 consecutive wins came to a shuddering halt on Wednesday as the Saudi Pro League leaders were beaten 4-2 by hosts Al Ain in the first leg of their Asian Champions League semifinal.
Al-Ain's Rahimi bags hat-trick to end Al-Hilal's record run
Al-Hilal's record breaking run of 34 consecutive wins came to a shuddering halt on Wednesday as Jorge Jesus' Saudi Pro League leaders were beaten 4-2 by hosts Al-Ain in the first leg of their Asian Champions League semi-final.
Unheralded Joo's journey of perseverance to South Korea opportunity
After repeatedly being overlooked, Joo Min-Kyu looks set to finally get his chance to show what he can offer South Korea on the international stage.
Al Hilal looking unstoppable as ACL uncovers its final four
As the semifinal lineup for the 2023-24 AFC Champions League was finalised this week, Al Hilal are looming large in their charge to a record fifth title.
Former champions Al Hilal seal ACL semifinal spot
Al Hilal wrapped up a place in the Asian Champions League semifinals as a 2-0 win over fellow Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad in Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports City on Tuesday completed a 4-0 aggregate victory.
No Neymar no problem: Al Hilal break win record
Al Hilal have broken the world record for consecutive wins after beating rivals Al Ittihad in the Asian Champions League for their 29th victory in a row.
Shootout fiasco sees Ronaldo, Al Nassr exit ACL
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr crashed out of the Asian Champions League in the quarterfinals after the Saudi Pro League side lost 3-1 on penalties to Al-Ain in a pulsating game on Monday.
Mitrovic goal gives Al Hilal lead in ACL 1st leg
Al Hilal will take a 2-0 lead into the second leg of their Asian Champions League quarterfinal with fellow Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad next week after a first leg win on Tuesday.
Al Nassr, Ronaldo trail Al Ain after ACL first leg
Al Ain will take a 1-0 lead into the second leg of their Asian Champions League quarterfinal against Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr next week after the side from the United Arab Emirates saw off the Saudi Pro League outfit on Monday.
Did Cristiano Ronaldo's partner reveal his retirement plans? (1:07)
Why Ronaldo's explanation on controversial gesture is a 'stretch' (0:46)
Al Ittihad into ACL last-8 despite Benzema gaffe
Toma Tabatadze's late own goal spared Karim Benzema's blushes as the defender gifted Saudi Arabia's Al-Ittihad a 2-1 win over Navbahor of Uzbekistan on Thursday to set up an Asian Champions League quarterfinal meeting with compatriots Al-Hilal.
Ronaldo strikes as Al Nassr reach ACL quarters
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr advanced to the quarterfinals of the Asian Champions League on Wednesday as the Riyadh-based side beat fellow Saudi Pro League outfit Al Fayha 2-0 to complete a 3-0 aggregate victory.
Ronaldo scores 1st goal of '24 in Asian CL win
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his first goal of 2024 to give Al Nassr a 1-0 win over fellow Saudi Arabian club Al Fayha on Wednesday in the first leg of the Asian Champions League's round of 16.
Source: Benzema dropped amid feud with coach
Karim Benzema has been dropped for Al Ittihad's crucial AFC Champions League game against Navbahor amid an ongoing feud with coach Marcelo Gallardo, a source told ESPN.
Jadson gives Shandong hope in Asian Champions League loss to Kawasaki
Kawasaki Frontale will take a one-goal lead into the second leg of their Asian Champions League last 16 meeting with China's Shandong Taishan next week with the Japanese side edging a five-goal thriller 3-2 in Jinan on Tuesday.
Why Juls thinks Neymar shouldn't have reacted to weight criticism (1:04)
Six years on from World Cup heroics, Jo emerges as South Korea's saviour once more
Six years on from his World Cup heroics, Jo Hyeon-Woo has produced another match-winning display for South Korea -- this time, they weren't in vain.
Does a move to Saudi make sense for David de Gea? (1:06)
The 'other' Endrick: Meet the namesake of the future Madrid starlet looking to fire Malaysia to Asian Cup glory
The namesake of a future Real Madrid and Brazil star, Malaysia's very own Endrick is hoping to mark his mark in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup.
New Brazil coach says he has 'no problem with Neymar' (0:58)
Looking ahead to the big year for Asian football that will be 2024
With the AFC Asian Cup kicking things off and with plenty to follow, 2024 promises to be another big year for Asian football.
Marching on: Who are the 16 teams through to the ACL knockout round?
As the AFC Champions League group stage reaches its business end, we take a closer look at which teams could advance and which are already out.
After highs of 2022, JDT and BGPU bow out of ACL in contrasting fashion
While JDT and BGPU have both bowed out of this season's ACL, one can do so with some pride while the other will have plenty of reflecting to do.
AFC Champions League Ladder
| Group A | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Al-Ain | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | +8 | 15 |
| Al Fayha | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | +2 | 9 |
| Pakhtakor Tashkent | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -3 | 7 |
| Ahal | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -7 | 4 |
| Group B | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Nasaf Quarshi | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +4 | 11 |
| Al Sadd | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | +4 | 8 |
| Sharjah | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | -1 | 8 |
| Al-Faisaly | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -7 | 6 |
| Group C | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Al Ittihad | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | +7 | 15 |
| Sepahan | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +8 | 10 |
| Air Force Club | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +2 | 10 |
| AGMK | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -17 | 0 |
| Group D | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Al Hilal | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +14 | 16 |
| Navbahor | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +5 | 13 |
| Nassaji Mazandaran | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -3 | 6 |
| Mumbai City FC | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -16 | 0 |
| Group E | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Al Nassr | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | +6 | 14 |
| Persepolis | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 |
| Al Duhail | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Istiklol | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | -6 | 3 |
| Group F | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Bangkok United | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | +3 | 13 |
| Jeonbuk Motors | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | +3 | 12 |
| Lion City Sailors | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -4 | 6 |
| Kitchee | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | -2 | 4 |
| Group G | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Yokohama F. Marinos | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | +5 | 12 |
| Shandong Taishan | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | +7 | 12 |
| Incheon United | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | +5 | 12 |
| Kaya | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -17 | 0 |
| Group H | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Ventforet Kofu | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | +3 | 11 |
| Melbourne City FC | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 9 |
| Zhejiang Professional FC | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | -4 | 7 |
| Buriram United | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -1 | 6 |
| Group I | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Kawasaki Frontale | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +11 | 16 |
| Ulsan Hyundai | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | +4 | 10 |
| Johor Darul Ta'zim | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | -2 | 9 |
| BG Pathum United | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 | -13 | 0 |
| Group J | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
| Pohang Steelers | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | +9 | 16 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | +3 | 7 |
| Hanoi | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | -9 | 6 |
| Wuhan Three Towns | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -3 | 5 |