AFC Champions League: Al Nassr to Compete Against Yokohama in Quarter-Finals; Al Hilal Faces Gwangju FC
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Synopsis
Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr is set to battle Yokohama F. Marinos in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League Elite, following a draw held in Kuala Lumpur. The matches will occur between April 25 and May 3 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, featuring thrilling clashes among top Asian clubs.
Key Takeaways
- Al Nassr faces Yokohama F. Marinos in quarter-finals.
- Al Hilal meets Gwangju FC in the knockout stage.
- Matches will occur in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- Each match represents a cross-regional showdown.
- The final will take place on May 3.
Kuala Lumpur, March 17 (NationPress) Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr is set to take on the second-seeded Japanese team Yokohama F. Marinos in the quarter-finals following the draw for the AFC Champions League Elite held at the AFC House on Monday.
The knockout stage will feature seven eagerly awaited matches in a centralized format occurring between April 25 and May 3 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Al Hilal SFC, a four-time Asian champion and the top seed, has drawn Gwangju FC from South Korea in the quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Al Ahli Saudi FC from Saudi Arabia, who are unbeaten this season with nine victories and a draw, will face Buriram United from Thailand, while Kawasaki Frontale from Japan will go up against Al Sadd SC from Qatar, the 2011 champions.
This year's quarter-finals will showcase cross-regional matchups, marking the first occasion since the 2013 edition of the AFC Champions League that there has been no separation between West and East teams in Asia’s premier men’s tournament.
The winners of the match between Al Hilal and Gwangju will meet the victor from the Al Ahli and Buriram clash, while the winning side from Marinos and Al Nassr will face the winner of the Frontale and Al Sadd encounter in the semi-finals.
The opening quarter-final is scheduled for April 25, with subsequent matches on April 26 and the final one on April 27. The first semi-final is slated for April 29, followed by the second on April 30.
The grand final will occur on May 3 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, with a prestigious trophy at stake and a record prize pool of at least USD 12 million.
Former champions Al Hilal (2019, 2021) and Al Sadd (2011) are eager to reclaim their glory, while two former finalists, Al Ahli Saudi (2012) and Marinos (2023/24), also aim for success. Notably, Gwangju is the first team to reach the quarter-finals on their continental debut since Vissel Kobe in 2020.
Quarterfinals draw:
Al Hilal SFC (KSA) vs Gwangju FC (KOR)
Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) vs Buriram United (THA)
Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) vs Al Nassr Club (KSA)
Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) vs Al Sadd SC (QAT)
