Johor Darul Ta’zim Football Club carved its name in another history made when they advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite (ACLE) 2025/26 for the first time, being the only Malaysian club to do so.
The team led by Xisco Muñoz has shown disciplined defense, conceding 1 goal via penalty against Sanfrecce Hiroshima at their home in Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima stadium, resulting to a loss but the team went through with an aggregate 3-2.
The 12-time Malaysian Super League champion advanced to the last 16 for the third time in four seasons.
The J1 League’s Sanfrecce earned its only goal via penalty kick by Kosuke Kinoshita at the 90th minute.
“It was a difficult game. We spoke about the danger they (Sanfrecce) have from set pieces, and today they scored again in that situation,” said Munoz on AFC’s official website.
“But the most important thing is that the team continued with the same intensity, power and belief in what we are doing.
“We have made history – a Malaysian club is reaching the knockout stage, which is something very positive. There are still things we can improve, but I’m very happy; the club showed it can compete at a high level.
“I’m also very happy for the players and the staff because everyone has given everything. It has been a long and demanding season with a lot of travel, and we worked very hard to reach this moment,” he added.
JDT joined fellow Southeast Asians Buriram United from Thailand and Japanese Machida Zelvia and Vissel Kobe in the AFC’s East region’s roster for the next round.
Meanwhile, the West region has yet to confirm their final four due to the developing situation in the Middle East. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that the AFC Champions League Elite 2025/26 Round of 16 first-leg matches in the West Region, which were originally scheduled for 2nd-3rd March 2026, will be rescheduled.
Furthermore, the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 and AFC Challenge League 2025/26 quarter-final first-leg matches between West Region teams, which were originally scheduled to take place between 3rd and 4th March 2026, have been postponed until further notice.
AFC Secretary-General Datuk Seri Windsor Paul John has confirmed in a recent press conference that the ACLE quarter-finals will take place in their original venue, King Abdullah Sports City Stadium and Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, though the date may be shifted.
It was announced earlier ahead of the season that Asia’s top eight clubs will be clashing in a centralised format in single-leg ties, starting with the quarter-finals from 16th to 18th April, followed by the semi-finals on 20th to 21st April, and culminating in the prestigious final on 25th April.
