Record Five Japanese Clubs Set for ACL Elite; Last Season's Semi-Finalists Kobe Visit Port FC [Preview: ACL Elite League Stage MD1]

The East Region of the 2026/27 AFC Champions League Elite™ gets under way on 15 September.
 
The competition has been expanded this season, with 16 clubs competing in the East Region. A record five clubs from Japan — Kashima Antlers, Vissel Kobe, Kashiwa Reysol, Kyoto Sanga F.C. and Gamba Osaka — will take part.
 
Last season's semi-finalists Vissel Kobe begin their League Stage campaign away to Port FC. Kobe head into the match on a four-match winning run in the J1 League and will again look to Yuya Osako, who has been in fine form, to lead the way.
 
Port FC finished runners-up in the Thai League last season and have made a strong start to the new campaign with two straight wins. They possess quality overseas players throughout the team, so Kobe will need to be wary. However, Kobe will look to impose their trademark high-intensity football and open their campaign with an away victory.
 
Kashima Antlers, who enter the competition as the 2025 J1 champions, host Australia's Newcastle Jets. Kashima have lost three straight matches in the domestic league and will look to use a change of competition to turn their fortunes around.
 
Newcastle Jets are led by head coach Mark Milligan, who played for JEF United Chiba during his playing career, while Japanese players including Kota Mizunuma have also represented the club in the past. The Jets finished top of the A-League Men regular season last season before being eliminated in the semi-finals of the Finals Series. With their domestic league season yet to begin, their current condition remains something of an unknown, and Kashima will look to take advantage.
 
Kashiwa Reysol, making their first appearance in the competition since 2018, travel to face Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC of Korea Republic. Kashiwa came from behind to beat Kyoto in the league last weekend and will head into the match with renewed confidence. Yusuke Segawa, who has repeatedly delivered goals off the bench, will look to make an impact on the Asian stage as well.
 
Jeonbuk are one of Korea Republic's leading clubs and won the domestic league last season. They currently sit third after 28 matches this season and boast several Korea Republic internationals, as well as quality overseas players such as Tiago Orobó. Kashiwa will need to defend with resilience while looking to impose their possession-based football.
 
Kyoto Sanga F.C., making their first appearance on the Asian stage, travel to face Daejeon Hana Citizen of Korea Republic. Results have been hard to come by for Kyoto in the J1 League, but Rafael Elias remains in good form. A strong performance from their in-form striker will be crucial if they are to come away with a victory.
 
Daejeon finished second in the domestic league last season but currently sit sixth after 28 matches this season. One player Kyoto will need to watch closely is attacking midfielder Masatoshi Ishida. The former Kyoto player will now face his old club and keeping him quiet will be one of the keys to the match.
 
Gamba Osaka, who won the AFC Champions League Two™ last season, host Vietnam's Cong An Ha Noi FC. Both sides came through the Preliminary Stage to reach the League Stage.
 
Gamba have not won in the J1 League since their opening match of the season. With goals proving hard to come by, expectations will be high for Deniz Hümmet, who delivered on the Asian stage during last season's ACL Two campaign.
 
Cong An Ha Noi FC have several Vietnam internationals in their squad, as well as quality overseas players including Stefan Mauk, who previously played for Fagiano Okayama. The Vietnamese champions dominated their domestic league last season. Rather than sit back against such strong opposition, Gamba will look to avoid being pushed onto the back foot and instead impose their own football as they seek an opening victory.

■Check Out the Key Battles in Each Match
Kashima vs. Newcastle Jets
Gamba Osaka vs. Cong An Ha Noi
Daejeon Hana Citizen vs. Kyoto
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC vs Kashiwa Reysol
Port FC vs Vissel Kobe