By Sachit Subba • INTERNATIONAL CLUB FOOTBALL • Aug 12, 2026 04:57 AM • 77 views
Former continental champions Al-Ittihad advanced to the expanded Asian Champions League Elite league phase on Tuesday, defeating UAE’s Al-Jazira 4-1 in a playoff led by Dutch winger Steven Bergwijn.
Bergwijn scored twice in the first 38 minutes for Jens Wissing’s Saudi Pro League side, breaking through the visitors’ defense. Houssem Aouar and Marwan Al-Sahafi added goals to secure a decisive win and keep Al-Ittihad’s continental ambitions alive.
In Tashkent, Uzbek club Pakhtakor defeated Jordan’s Al-Hussein 3-0. Dostonbek Khamdamov scored in the seventh and 30th minutes, and Iraq international Bashar Resan added a third early in the second half to secure the win.
In Suita, Japan’s Gamba Osaka required extra time to defeat South Korea’s Gangwon FC. After a scoreless 90 minutes, 18-year-old Gaku Nawata scored in the 103rd minute to secure Gamba Osaka’s advancement.
Vietnam’s Cong An Ha Noi earned a 2-0 win over Australia’s Adelaide United. Head coach Mano Polking’s strategy was effective, with David Henen scoring in the 41st minute and Brayan Perea adding another in the 64th.
All four playoff winners will prepare for the league phase draw in Kuala Lumpur on August 18. The new 32-team format replaces the previous 24-team group stage, running from September 14 to February 17, 2027. Top teams will advance to a two-legged round of 16 in March, followed by quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a central final in Saudi Arabia from April 23 to May 1. Defending champions Al-Ahli remain the team to beat.
