Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) Update
Kuala Lumpur, February 20 (Bernama) – The withdrawal of Chinese club Shandong Taishan FC from the 2024/25 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Elite (ACL Elite) campaign has seen Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) finish the Eastern Zone league competition in third place compared to the fourth.
JDT’s Rise to Third Place
Based on the latest update on the tournament’s official website https://www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league_elite/fixtures__standings.html, the Southern Tigers under Hector Bidoglio have moved up one place with 14 points after seven matches. The 2015 AFC Cup champions and 10-time consecutive Super League champions have recorded four wins, two draws and one loss.
Top Teams Qualify for Round of 16
Two Japanese clubs, Yokohama F. Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale, are in the top two positions with 18 points and 15 points respectively. Completing the top eight teams that have qualified for the round of 16 of the tournament are Gwangju FC from South Korea, Vissel Kobe (Japan), Buriram United (Thailand) as well as two Chinese representatives, Shanghai Shenhua FC and Shanghai Port FC.
JDT’s Round of 16 Schedule
According to the competition format, JDT is scheduled to face Buriram United in the round of 16 action which will be held in a return match in March.
Shandong Taishan’s Withdrawal
Yesterday, the AFC confirmed that Shandong Taishan is deemed to have withdrawn from the competition under Article 5.2 of the Competition Regulations after notifying them of its decision not to participate in the group stage match against Ulsan HD FC from South Korea scheduled for yesterday.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of Shandong Taishan FC has resulted in a shift in the standings, with JDT finishing in third place in the Eastern Zone league competition. The Southern Tigers will now focus on their upcoming match against Buriram United in the round of 16, while the top teams in the competition continue to vie for the coveted title.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the current standing of JDT in the ACL Elite tournament?
A: JDT is currently in third place with 14 points after seven matches.
Q: Who are the top teams that have qualified for the round of 16 in the ACL Elite tournament?
A: The top eight teams that have qualified for the round of 16 are Yokohama F. Marinos, Kawasaki Frontale, Gwangju FC, Vissel Kobe, Buriram United, Shanghai Shenhua FC, Shanghai Port FC, and JDT.
Q: What is the schedule for JDT’s next match in the ACL Elite tournament?
A: JDT is scheduled to face Buriram United in the round of 16 action which will be held in a return match in March.