AFC Champions League East 2023 2024 Highlights DAY 6

 

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Kuala Lumpur: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors were the final team to book their spot in the AFC Champions League 2023/24 Round of 16 after a 3-2 win over Bangkok United on Wednesday. The two-time AFC Champions League winners advanced as one of the three best runners-up from the East Zone, coming from behind to beat Bangkok United. Bangkok United had already confirmed the Group F top spot ahead of the match, with the Thai side finishing on 13 points, with Korea Republic's Jeonbuk one adrift.  Yokohama F. Marinos also staged a late show on Wednesday, with the Japanese side's 3-0 win over Shandong Taishan FC securing them the Group G top spot.

Marinos, Shandong and Incheon United all finished on 12 points with the China PR side advancing on the runners-up quota. Korea Republic's Incheon missed out due to an inferior head-to-head goal difference against the other two. Ventforet Kofu created history on Tuesday by becoming the first second division side to qualify for the Round of 16, with the Japanese team topping Group H with 11 points. Two-time champions Ulsan Hyundai FC were the third team to advance on the runners-up ticket following their 2-2 draw with Group I winners Kawasaki Frontale on Tuesday.  Pohang Steelers were the runaway Group J winners with defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan among the group stage casualties.

Group F

Bangkok United were the outstanding team in Group F, with the Thai side even upstaging two-time AFC Champions League winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors enroute to finishing top. Three straight wins placed them in the driver's seat and the defeat to Jeonbuk on Matchday Six was only suffered after they had already confirmed their place in the Round of 16.  Jeonbuk also advanced, but only just, as they found the group stage difficult to navigate. The Korea Republic side will aim to do better in the knockout stage, having reached the 2022 semi-finals.  Lion City Sailors of Singapore and Kitchee SC failed to string a consistent run of results as they finished way off the pace.  Hong Kong's Kitchee would have been especially disappointed, having advanced to the Round of 16 last season.

Group G

Easily the most thrilling group, with Yokohama F. Marinos 'stealing' the top spot on the final day. The Japanese side, China PR's Shandong Taishan and Incheon United of Korea Republic all finished on 12 points after an exciting six matchdays. Marinos turned on the power to defeat Shandong 3-0, which secured them the top spot with the China PR side advancing as one of the three best second-placed sides from the East Zone. That meant heartbreak for Incheon United, who missed out due to an inferior head-to-head goal difference against the other two. While Incheon will be proud of their performance, Kaya FC-Iloilo endured a traumatic campaign with the Philippines side suffering six defeats.

Group H

Ventforet Kofu were easily the best performers in the East Zone, with the Japanese side becoming the first second division team to advance to the AFC Champions League knockout stage. It is a commendable achievement, with Ventforet only suffering one defeat and they will look forward to the draw on December 28. For Melbourne City FC, it was yet another missed opportunity as a 1-1 draw with China PR's Zhejiang FC meant missing out on the knockout stage yet again.  Zhejiang would have been relatively pleased with their campaign while Buriram United would have felt they could have done better, with the Thai side collecting only six points. 

Group I

Kawasaki Frontale established themselves as firm favourites for a first AFC Champions League title after a sterling Group I campaign. Top spot was easily confirmed and the Japanese side will aim to carry on from where they left off in the Round of 16, having been eliminated in the group stage last season. Two-time winners Ulsan Hyundai FC squeezed through as one of the best three runners-up and the Korea Republic champions will aim to regroup ahead of the knockout stage.Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim fell just short of a second successive appearance in the Round of 16 while Thailand's BG Pathum United would have been disappointed with a campaign that delivered no points.

Group J

Pohang Steelers were another side who simply could not be stopped as the Korea Republic team finished with 16 points.  They will look to maintain their form in the knockout stage but it was the end of the road for 2022 champions Urawa Red Diamonds. Having lifted the AFC Champions League trophy for a record third time in May, Urawa struggled throughout the group stage as they made an early exit.  Vietnam's Hanoi FC and Wuhan Three Towns of China PR also found the going tough, with both sides having much to do if they are to challenge the continent's top clubs.