ACL Elite East matchday three: four perfect starts on the line, with full Malaysia kick-off times
Kashima, Gamba Osaka, Beijing FC and Vissel Kobe all have six points as the ACL Elite East Region returns on Tuesday and Wednesday. Every kick-off in Malaysia time.
The AFC Champions League Elite East Region resumes on Tuesday with eight matchday-three fixtures spread across two evenings, and four clubs will be trying to keep their 100 per cent records intact. Kashima Antlers, Gamba Osaka, Beijing FC and Vissel Kobe all won their opening two games, while Johor Darul Ta'zim are among a chasing group on four points. All six of Tuesday's matches and both of Wednesday's kick off between 6pm and 8.15pm Malaysia time.
How the East table looks after two rounds
Japanese and Chinese clubs have set the early pace. Kashima opened with a 7-1 thrashing of Newcastle Jets and followed it with a 1-0 win away to Cong An Ha Noi. Gamba Osaka beat Cong An Ha Noi 4-1 and won 3-1 in Newcastle. Beijing FC beat Pohang Steelers 3-1 and won 1-0 at Buriram United, and Vissel Kobe won 2-1 at Port FC before beating Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-0.
Behind them, JDT, Daejeon Hana Citizen and Shanghai Port have four points each. JDT drew 1-1 at home with Buriram and then won 2-0 at Pohang. Jeonbuk, Kyoto Sanga and Kashiwa Reysol have three points, Buriram one, and Ratchaburi, Port FC, Newcastle Jets, Pohang and Cong An Ha Noi are still without a point.
In the 16-team league format, each club plays eight matches against different opponents, and the top eight in each region advance to the round of 16.
Tuesday 27 October fixtures (Malaysia time)
- 6pm: Kyoto Sanga v Newcastle Jets (Kyoto Stadium)
- 6pm: Shanghai Port v Cong An Ha Noi (Pudong Football Stadium)
- 6pm: Johor Darul Ta'zim v Port FC (Sultan Ibrahim Stadium)
- 6pm: Daejeon Hana Citizen v Vissel Kobe (Daejeon World Cup Stadium)
- 8.15pm: Beijing FC v Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Workers Stadium)
- 8.15pm: Ratchaburi v Kashiwa Reysol (Ratchaburi Stadium)
The standout tie of the night is in Daejeon, where the hosts, unbeaten after two games, face a Kobe side who have yet to drop a point. In Beijing, the Chinese club meet a Jeonbuk team who will want to recover from their defeat in Kobe.
For Malaysian fans, the 6pm slot brings JDT's home match against Port FC, who lost 2-1 to Kobe and 5-1 at Kashiwa in their opening games. Later in the evening, Ratchaburi host Kashiwa still looking for their first points after a 6-4 home defeat by Shanghai Port and a 1-0 loss in Kyoto. Malaysia international defender Daniel Ting was listed as a Ratchaburi player when the national squad was named in September.
Wednesday 28 October fixtures (Malaysia time)
- 6pm: Kashima Antlers v Pohang Steelers (Kashima Soccer Stadium)
- 6pm: Gamba Osaka v Buriram United (Suita City Football Stadium)
Both Japanese sides are at home against opponents who have struggled. Pohang lost their first two matches, including the 2-0 home defeat by JDT, while Buriram took one point from their opening pair and failed to score against Beijing.
What comes next
Matchday four follows on 3 and 4 November. JDT travel to Jeonbuk, Ratchaburi go to Vissel Kobe, and Port FC host Beijing FC, while Buriram welcome Kashima and Pohang host Gamba Osaka. With eight places available from 16 teams, sides on zero points after three games would face a demanding second half of the league stage.
Key takeaways
- Kashima, Gamba Osaka, Beijing FC and Vissel Kobe all have six points from two matches.
- JDT, Daejeon and Shanghai Port are next on four points.
- Six matches are played on Tuesday at 6pm and 8.15pm Malaysia time, with two more on Wednesday at 6pm.
- Daejeon v Vissel Kobe is the meeting of two unbeaten teams.
- Ratchaburi and Port FC are among five clubs still searching for a first point.
FAQ
What time do JDT play Port FC? The match at Sultan Ibrahim Stadium kicks off at 6pm Malaysia time on Tuesday 27 October.
How many teams qualify from the ACL Elite East Region? The top eight of the 16 teams in the East Region advance to the round of 16.
When is ACL Elite East matchday four? It is scheduled for 3 and 4 November, with JDT away to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Sources: J.League, Wikipedia, Football Association of Malaysia