The AFC Champions League is Asian football at its best.
While the competition is now on hold as the rest of the football world, it is a good time to take a look at the best high-scoring matches in competition’s history.
Thanks to COVID-19, now you have enough time to watch 32 goals, in five games.
Al-Karamah – Al-Ittihad 4-0 AET (2006 quarter finals)
The sensational finalist of 2006 was the Syrian club Al-Karamah. After qualifying from the group stage with a negative goal difference, the Syrians faced a challenging rival, reigning Asian champions, Al-Ittihad. The second leg in Homs was a complete show for 25,000 thrilled fans in the stands. Iyad Mando and Ahmad Omaier scored, and with a 2-0 lead, the game went to extra time. Mohanad Ibrahim was the hero of Al-Karamah with a brace and the ticket to the next stage.
Dalian Shide – Al-Ain 4-3 (2003 semifinals)
Dalian Shide had to wait four months for their second leg against Al-Ain due to the SARS outbreak in China back then. After a 4-2 defeat in the first leg, the Chinese wanted to win the tie. Al-Ain was already on a 2-1 lead in the second half, but everything changed in the 77th minute. In 7 minutes, Dailan Shide scored three times, and suddenly the aggregate score was tied. The 87th minute gave the lead back to Al-Ain with a goal of Farhad Majiri, and the Emirati qualified to the next stage.
Guangzhou Evergrande – Shanghai SIPG 5-1, 4-5 after PSO (2017 quarterfinals)
How does it feel to be a hero and a zero in a few minutes? That was the story of Ricardo Goulart in the all-Chinese clash against Shanghai SIPG. The Brazilian scored twice in the 83rd minute and the additional time, and with 4-0 lead, the match went to extra time. Hulk scored for SIPG in the 111th minute, but Goulart didn't give up and scored a penalty kick in the 117th minute. The match continued to the penalty shootout, but unfortunately Goulart was the only one to miss, and Evergrande was knocked out.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors – Cerezo Osaka 6-1 (2011 quarter finals)
Lee Dong-Gook, the all-time top scorer of the AFC Champions League, had one of his best matches against Cerezo Osaka in 2011. He scored twice in the first leg, but Jeonbuk lost 4-3. In his home stadium, Lee Dong-Gook scored a hat-trick in 15 minutes and added the fourth in the additional time. Jeonbuk thrashed the Japanese side 6-1
Krung Thai Bank – Beijing Guoan 5-3 (2008 group stage)
Krung Thai Bank is probably the team with the weirdest campaign in the tournament's history. In six matches, the team has scored 20 goals and conceded 27. You can find a 9-1 win and a 9-1 loss among their results. Their final game against Beijing Guoan was the ultimate bizarre finishing. Nantawat Thansopa scored four goals, while Guoan's Tiago scored a hat-trick.