Summary of the ACL Elite Eastern Zone standings: 6 teams have advanced, and 3 teams have been eliminated after the latest round.
On 17 Feb 2026 GMT+7, here is the latest update on teams qualified and eliminated following the AFC Champions League Elite 2025-26 Eastern Zone league stage, matchday 8. "The Thunder Castle" Buriram United, the sole representative from Thai League 1, took the field.
Tuesday, 17 Feb 2026 GMT+7.
FC Seoul (South Korea) 2-2 Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Japan).
Machida Zelvia (Japan) 3-2 Chengdu Rongcheng (China).
Buriram United (Thailand) 2-0 Shanghai Shenhua (China).
Johor Darul Ta'zim (Malaysia) 1-0 Vissel Kobe (Japan).
After today's matches, six teams have secured places in the top 8 knockout stage: Machida Zelvia, Vissel Kobe, Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Buriram United, Melbourne City, and Johor Darul Ta'zim.
Three teams still have a chance to advance: FC Seoul, Gangwon FC, and Ulsan Hyundai, all from South Korea, but only two spots remain available.
The three teams confirmed eliminated are Chengdu Rongcheng, Shanghai Shenhua, and Shanghai Port, all from China.
1. Machida Zelvia 17 points *Qualified.
2. Vissel Kobe 16 points *Qualified.
3. Sanfrecce Hiroshima 15 points *Qualified.
4. Buriram United 14 points *Qualified.
5. Melbourne City 13 points *Qualified.
6. Johor Darul Ta'zim 11 points *Qualified.
7. FC Seoul 10 points.
8. Gangwon FC 8 points.
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9. Ulsan Hyundai 8 points.
10. Chengdu Rongcheng 6 points *Eliminated.
11. Shanghai Shenhua 4 points *Eliminated.
12. Shanghai Port 3 points *Eliminated.