Episode 58: 2026-27 ACL Elite, ACL Two, Challenge League, AWCL Draws, ASEAN Hyundai Cup, & more

So let's get straight into it with the big club competition, the expanded club competition this season, actually the AFC Champions League Elite, which has been expanded to 32 teams this season.

So the playoffs have already been played, two in each region.

I'll go through them real quick, then we'll speak about them briefly.

So in the West region, Al Jazeera got demolished by Al Etihad 4-1 in Abu Dhabi.

And then Pakhtakor of Uzbekistan beat Al Hussein 3-0.

In the East region, Gambo Osaka defeated Gangwon 1-0 an extra time away.

And then Hanoi Police defeated Adelaide United of Australia 2-0.

So Arya...

I'll come to you for the West Region results.

Any surprises there? I mean, a big win for Elveta Etihad.

And honestly, I expected a better fight from Jazeera considering how they've been doing in the league this season.

Yeah.

I mean, that's a pretty reoccurring theme, I would say, when it comes to the West Region.

You know, you sometimes expect certain teams to do better, especially the one, you know, the kit that you're wearing right now.

That's a big example.

And they just disappoint.

But in all seriousness, I'm not that surprised.

It's just such an AFC, like, you know, playoff game.

Like, it's just how it is.

No, it's cool, though.

I like it a lot.

Al Etihad, as of late, haven't been...

They've been good in the league, too, so...

It's one of the big teams in Saudi, so I guess you can't be that surprised, either.

But...