AFC Champions League Elite: Top Teams Advance to Knockout Rounds

Jesse Lingard played a pivotal role in FC Seoul's 3-0 victory over Buriram United

FC Seoul cruised to a 3-0 victory over Buriram United in the Asian Champions League Elite group phase, thanks to goals from Choi Jun, Jeong Seung-won, and Lucas Silva.

Jesse Lingard guides FC Seoul to first win of Asian Champions League season...

Jesse Lingard captained FC Seoul to a convincing 3-0 victory over Buriram United in the Asian Champions League Elite group phase, securing the team's first win of the season. The match took place at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, where goals from Choi Jun, Jeong Seung-won, and Lucas Silva led FC Seoul to four points from their opening two games.

Lingard, a former Manchester United and England player, expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, acknowledging the initial challenge posed by Buriram United's compact defense. However, once FC Seoul scored the first goal, they dominated the game, creating numerous chances and deservedly winning. Choi Jun opened the scoring in the 38th minute with a precise finish from Lucas Silva's cross, while Jeong Seung-won doubled the lead in the first-half added time with a well-timed run. Silva sealed the win with a powerful shot into the top corner.

FC Seoul took the lead in the 38th minute when Choi Jun capitalized on a beautifully delivered inswinging cross from Lucas Silva, slotting the ball home with precision. Just three minutes into first-half added time, Jeong Seung-won doubled the lead for FC Seoul when Buriram United goalkeeper Neil Etheridge misjudged the winger's cross, allowing the ball to bounce into the net.

The win was sealed when Lucas Silva scored with a powerful shot into the top corner, courtesy of a defensive mix-up in the Buriram United penalty area. The Thai side struggled to clear a cross, and Silva pounced on the loose ball, unleashing a clinical finish that put the result beyond doubt.

“It's always good to get the first win,” Lingard, 32, said. “I thought the boys performed really well. We knew the first 20 minutes were going to be tough. They were very compact in the middle so they made it hard for us.

“But as soon as we got the first goal I thought we could push on and score more. We created a lot of chances, we dominated the game and we deserved to win.”

Choi Jun scored the opening goal in the 38th minute, expertly slotting home Lucas Silva's precise inswinging cross from the left flank. This set the tone for FC Seoul's dominant performance.

Jeong Seung-won doubled FC Seoul's lead just before halftime, capitalizing on a mistake by Buriram United goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. The goalkeeper misjudged Jeong's cross, and the ball bounced into the net, giving FC Seoul a comfortable 2-0 advantage heading into the break.

Silva sealed the win with a powerful shot into the top corner after the Buriram defense failed to clear a cross into the penalty area. His clinical finish put the result beyond doubt, securing a 3-0 victory for FC Seoul.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima hosted Shanghai Port in the AFC Champions League Elite group stage, with both teams fighting for crucial points. The Japanese side took the lead through Hayato Araki's 19th-minute header, but Shanghai Port's Gabrielzinho scored seven minutes from time to level the score at 1-1. This result earned Shanghai Port a valuable point, showcasing their determination and resilience.

The match saw both teams create scoring opportunities, with Sanfrecce Hiroshima's Marcos Junior and Shanghai Port's Leonardo leading the charge. Despite their efforts, neither team could find the back of the net again after Gabrielzinho's equalizer. The draw moves Sanfrecce Hiroshima onto four points, level with FC Seoul after two rounds of matches in the league phase.

Chengdu Rongcheng secured their first continental victory with a 1-0 win over Gangwon FC from South Korea, thanks to Tim Chow's decisive goal in the 35th minute. This win marks a significant milestone for the Chinese team, who bounced back from their opening loss to Ulsan HD. The match took place at the Chengdu Phoenix Hill Football Stadium, showcasing Chengdu Rongcheng's determination and skill.

In a separate match, Machida Zelvia failed to secure their first win, drawing 0-0 with Johor Darul Ta'zim, the Malaysia Super League champions. A crucial moment came in the 23rd minute when Yuki Soma's penalty hit the post, denying Machida Zelvia the lead. Despite their efforts, neither team could find the back of the net, resulting in a goalless draw.

The AFC Champions League Elite's group stage will conclude with the top eight finishers in the 12-team groups from West and East Asia advancing to the knockout rounds in March. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final will be played in a centralized format in Saudi Arabia in late April. This format ensures a competitive and thrilling conclusion to the tournament, with teams competing in a high-stakes environment.

𝗙𝗧 | 🇰🇷 FC Seoul 3️⃣-0️⃣ Buriram United 🇹🇭

The hosts secure their first victory of the #ACLElite campaign, sealing three points with a convincing home performance!#SEOvBUR pic.twitter.com/x8cAMdS4Uc

— #ACLElite | #ACLTwo (@TheAFCCL) September 30, 2025

These results highlight the competitive nature of the AFC Champions League Elite group stage, with teams vying for crucial points.

Standings:

• Sanfrecce Hiroshima: 4 points (2 matches)
• Shanghai Port: 1 point (2 matches), holding 12th position
• FC Seoul: 4 points (2 matches)