ACL Elite Matchday 4: Kobe stay perfect, Port FC win 7-4 thriller and Kashima held in Buriram

The AFC Champions League Elite reached its halfway point this week, and the East region produced late winners, a stunning 11-goal match in Thailand and the first dropped points for Kashima Antlers. Vissel Kobe are now the only East side with a perfect record after Matchday 4, played on 3 and 4 November.

Kobe leave it late against Ratchaburi

Vissel Kobe made it four wins from four with a 3-2 victory over Thailand's Ratchaburi at Noevir Stadium Kobe on Tuesday. Kento Hamasaki gave the J1 side a first-half lead, but Ratchaburi came roaring back in the second half: Phongsakorn Sangkasopha equalised and Ekanit Panya put the visitors ahead late on.

Kobe's bench rescued them. Substitute Erik equalised almost immediately, and fellow substitute Tetsushi Yamakawa headed the winner in the 88th minute from a Yuya Osako assist. Kobe top the East on 12 points, while Ratchaburi, unlucky not to take something, remain on one point.

Port FC's 7-4 goal-fest

The wildest game of the round came in Pathum Thani, where Port FC beat Chinese side Beijing Guoan 7-4. Jude Soonsup-Bell scored twice inside the opening 19 minutes, and substitute Teerasak Poeiphimai, who came on in the 71st minute, struck twice in stoppage time to put the result beyond doubt.

It was Port's first win of the campaign and lifts the Thai club to three points and 13th place. Beijing Guoan, who had been among the early pace-setters, stay on seven points.

Kashima drop first points in Buriram

On Wednesday, Buriram United held Kashima Antlers to a goalless draw in Thailand. Kashima, coached by Toru Oniki, fielded an unfamiliar line-up and saw their winning run in the competition end. They remain second on 10 points, two behind Kobe.

Buriram, now under new head coach Raul Caneda, picked up their third draw in four games and have three points in 12th.

Elsewhere in the East, Kashiwa Reysol beat Daejeon Hana Citizen 2-0 through Keita Endo and Shota Fujio, Shanghai Port won 4-2 against Australia's Newcastle Jets, Cong An Ha Noi and Kyoto Sanga drew 0-0, and Pohang Steelers and Gamba Osaka shared a 3-3 draw. Gamba sit third on eight points.

What it means for Southeast Asian clubs

Johor Darul Ta'zim are the best-placed ASEAN side, sixth on seven points after four games and inside the top eight that qualify for the round of 16. Vietnam's Cong An Ha Noi are 11th with four points, while Buriram and Port both have three. The top eight from each region advance to the last 16, which will be played in March 2027, so there is still plenty to play for over the remaining four matchdays.

In the West region, Al-Nassr won 6-2 away to Pakhtakor in Tashkent with Joao Felix scoring twice, Al-Qadsiah thrashed Al-Gharafa 5-0, Al-Hilal beat Shabab Al Ahli 2-0 and Al Wasl edged Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya 4-3.

Matchday 5 in the East is scheduled for 24 and 25 November.

Key takeaways

• Vissel Kobe beat Ratchaburi 3-2 with two late substitute goals and lead the East on 12 points.
• Port FC beat Beijing Guoan 7-4 in Thailand for their first win of the campaign.
• Buriram United held Kashima Antlers 0-0, ending Kashima's perfect start.
• JDT are sixth on seven points, the highest-placed Southeast Asian club in the East.
• Matchday 5 in the East takes place on 24-25 November.

FAQ

Who is top of the ACL Elite East region after Matchday 4? Vissel Kobe lead with 12 points from four wins, two points ahead of Kashima Antlers on 10. Gamba Osaka are third on eight.

What happened in Port FC vs Beijing Guoan? Port FC won 7-4 at home on 3 November 2026. Jude Soonsup-Bell scored twice early and substitute Teerasak Poeiphimai added two in stoppage time.

How many teams qualify from the ACL Elite league stage? The top eight teams in each of the East and West regions advance to the round of 16, which is due to be played in March 2027.

Sources: AFC, J.League, ESPN, IDN Times, Makan Bola, The Sports Encounter