The ultimate AFC Champions League motion of 2025 will see Jesse Lingard bid farewell to FC Seoul throughout the capital membership’s dwelling conflict with Melbourne Metropolis, Gangwon FC tackle Buriram United in the hunt for a primary ACL win in three, and Ulsan HD journey to Japan to tackle Machida Zelvia, trying to no less than finish the yr on a excessive be aware. In ACL Two, Pohang Steelers shut out the Group Stage with a visit to the Philippines to tackle Kaya.
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AFC Champions League Elite
Tuesday ninth December
Machida Zelvia (third, JPN) vs. Ulsan HD (sixth) – 19:00
After a disappointing home marketing campaign, one which noticed the Horangi end of their lowest place in 25 years, Ulsan HD can be trying to finish the yr on a constructive be aware. The ultimate day of the Ok League season noticed Ulsan lose 1-0 at dwelling to Jeju SK, however had been in a position to protect their top-flight standing by default owing to outcomes elsewhere. Caretaker supervisor Noh Sang-rae had beforehand fielded rotated lineups within the ACL, with survival extra essential. However in what can be his final match in cost, a full-strength Ulsan is more likely to function in Japan.
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Zelvia, who had been just lately topped Emperor Cup winners, ended the J1 League season with a 1-0 defeat away to Kashiwa Reysol to complete sixth. Zelvia, ACL debutants, beat Gangwon of their final continental outing, and drew 1-1 with FC Seoul of their very first. Ulsan laboured to a 0-0 draw at dwelling to Buriram United. Ulsan’s report in opposition to J.League opposition is 16 wins, six attracts, and 12 losses. To this point on this season’s competitors, the Horangi have overcome Sanfrecce Hiroshima however misplaced to Vissel Kobe. Ulsan have the joint-best defence within the East facet of the competitors, with simply three objectives conceded and rank first for clearances per match with 34, whereas Zeliva rank third for correct crosses per match with 5.8 and for correct lengthy balls per match with 32.4.
Buriram United (eighth, THA) vs. Gangwon FC (ninth)- 21:15
Gangwon FC’s first-ever match in opposition to Thai opposition sees them head to Thunder Citadel to tackle the Southeast Asian giants, Buriram United. Buriram earned an honest level away to Ulsan of their final ACLE match, and picked up a 3-1 win over Kanchanaburi Energy on the weekend to stay high of the Thai Premier League. Their unimaginable begin to the brand new home season has seen the 11-time home champions earn 11 wins from 13 matches to date. Gangwon ended the Ok League marketing campaign with a 1-0 win over Pohang Steelers to assert fifth spot and doubtlessly a spot in subsequent season’s ACL Two. However the focus can be purely on ACLE and the journey to Buriram, to finish on a excessive be aware. Gangwon are searching for to finish a run of two and not using a win in ACL.
Buriram have confronted Ok League opposition already this season, dropping 3-0 away to FC Seoul. The Thai giants’ report in opposition to Ok League sides is 5 wins, seven attracts, and ten losses, with their most up-to-date win coming in opposition to Ulsan in final season’s competitors. Buriram are the one facet at present within the high eight with adverse aim distinction (-1), however two clear sheets is the second-best report within the East facet of the competitors. Gangwon have had probably the most possession total with 61.8% however are solely eighth by way of pictures on track per match (2.8).
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Wednesday tenth December
FC Seoul (4th) vs. Melbourne Metropolis (2nd) – 19:00
FC Seoul followers endured a tricky season, one stuffed with false dawns, and one that may in the end be forgotten, however there may be nonetheless yet one more match to play, and it will likely be Jesse Lingard’s final for the membership. Seoul’s home woes are effectively documente,d however a 3-1 away win over Chinese language Tremendous League champions Shanghai Port is as spectacular a win as any crew will earn within the competitors. Lingard scored twice and registered an help to make it 5 aim contributions, the third-highest within the competitors. Melbourne Metropolis are the guests to Sangam this Wednesday, a facet that sits second within the desk following three straight wins. Wednesday’s assembly would be the first-ever between the 2 sides, however Seoul have come up in opposition to A-League Males opposition earlier than, incomes 4 wins, three attracts, and three losses. In 2020, Seoul beat Melbourne Victory at dwelling 1-0 because of an eighth-minute Park Chu-young strike, however then misplaced 2-1 within the return fixture within the hub.
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Melbourne Metropolis’s journey to the Korean capital will mark their first fixture in opposition to a Ok League facet since 2022, when going through Jeonnam Dragons, first in Korea, and solely their second ever. Within the 2022 competitors, Metropolis earned a 2-1 win and a 1-1 draw with the Ok League 2 facet. Metropolis make the journey on the again of a 1-0 away win over Newcastle Jets, and whereas sitting fourth within the A-League Males’s desk following three wins, three attracts, and three losses to begin the season.
AFC Champions League Two
Kaya FC Iloilo (4th) vs. Pohang Steelers (2nd) – 21:15
Pohang Steelers will shut out the AFC Champions League Two Group Stage with a go to to the Philippines to tackle Kaya FC Iloilo. Pohang are second in Group H however might nonetheless end first, however will want Tampines Rovers to lose to BG Pathum United and beat Kaya by no less than 4 objectives. Kaya are but to choose up a single level and have scored simply 4 objectives with 14 conceded. The Lions have had higher luck domestically, sitting third within the Philippines Soccer League desk and incomes a 6-1 win away to Tuloy FC of their final match on November thirtieth.
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Eyes can be on whether or not Pohang gaffer Park Tae-he fields a powerful XI like he did in opposition to within the 2-0 dwelling win over BG Pathum United. With a spot within the knockouts already secured, it could be one other second-string Steelers facet that travels. Pohang ran out 2-0 winners when the perimeters met on the Metal Yard earlier this yr. The encounter can be Kaya’s sixth in opposition to Ok League opposition, having misplaced twice to Ulsan in 2021 and Incheon in 2023.