The draw results in exciting confrontations in the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League
The draw resulted in exciting confrontations in the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League 2023-2024, following the drawing of the draw for the knockout rounds today, Thursday, at the AFC headquarters in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. The group stage witnessed the participation of 40 clubs, competing as of September 2023, qualifying from Including 16 clubs to continue competing in the knockout rounds, including six clubs that have previously won the championship title, as the round of 16 matches will be held in February.
The draw pitted Al Ain Club, champion of the first edition of the AFC Champions League with its modern system, against Nasaf of Uzbekistan, with the latter hosting the first leg.
For its part, Al-Nassr Saudi Arabia, searching for the first title in the history of the tournament, which includes Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, will meet with its compatriot Al-Fayhaa, while Al-Hilal Saudi Club, winner of the tournament title four times before, will meet Iranian Sepahan, runner-up in the 2007 edition.
As for the Saudi club Al-Ittihad, which won the championship title twice in a row in 2004 and 2005, it will face Uzbekistan’s Navbahor.
In the East region, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from the Republic of Korea will meet its compatriot Pohang Steers, and Ventforet Kofu of Japan, who is participating for the first time in the tournament, will meet Ulsan Hyundai from the Republic of Korea.
China’s Shandong Taishan will meet Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale, while Thailand’s Bangkok United will meet Japan’s Yokohama Marinos.
Play-off program
Round of 16
Al-Gharb (first leg, February 12 and 13, return, February 19 and 20)
– Round of 16 (1): Nasaf (Uzbekistan) – Al Ain (UAE)
– Round of 16 (2): Al-Fayhaa (Saudi Arabia) – Al-Nasr (Saudi Arabia)
– Round of 16 (3): Sepahan (Iran) – Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
– Round of 16 (4): Navbahor (Uzbekistan) – Al-Ittihad
(Saudi Arabia)
Al-Sharq (first leg, February 13 and 14, return, February 20 and 21)
– Round of 16 (5): Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (Republic of Korea) – Pohang Steelers (Republic of Korea)
– Round of 16 (6): Ulsan Hyundai (Republic of Korea) – Ventforet Kofu (Japan)
– Round of 16 (7): Shandong Taishan (China) – Kawasaki Frontale (Japan)
– Round of 16 (8): Bangkok United (Thailand) – Yokohama Marinos (Japan)
Quarter-finals
Al-Gharb (first leg, March 4 and 5, return, March 11 and 12)
– Quarter-finals (1): Winner of the Round of 16 (1) – Winner of the Round of 16 (2)
– Quarter-finals (2): Winner of the Round of 16 (3) – Winner of the Round of 16 (4)
Al-Sharq (first leg, March 5 and 6, return, March 12 and 13)
– Quarter-finals (3): Winner of the Round of 16 (5) – Winner of the Round of 16 (6)
– Quarter-finals (4): Winner of the Round of 16 (7) – Winner of the Round of 16 (8)
semi-final
Al Gharb (April 16 and 23)
– Semi-final (1): Winner of the quarter-final (1) – Winner of the quarter-final (2)
Al Sharq (April 17 and 24)
– Semi-finals (2): Winner of the quarter-finals (3) – Winner of the quarter-finals (4)
Final (May 11 and 18)
Winner of the semi-final (2) – Winner of the semi-final (1).