Going into the matches, only Al Hilal start with a lead of more than a single goal while the other three fixtures are tightly poised following the first meetings. Ahead of what promises to be an intriguing few days packed with drama and tension, the-AFC.com has picked five things to look out for.
Al Hilal’s winning run
Not since September 18, 2023, have Al Hilal failed to pick up victories in this season’s continental competition. Since Ali Al Bulayhi’s late, late equaliser salvaged a draw at home to Uzbekistan’s Navbahor, the Riyadh giants have won the next eight matches consecutively.
Al Hilal’s impressive streak of victories has also been replicated on the domestic front where a lengthy run of wins has seen them take a commanding position on the summit of the Saudi Pro League standings.
While Jorge Jesus’ dominant side would not be the first team to go all the way to the AFC Champions League™ title unbeaten – fellow quarter-finalists Ulsan Hyundai did so at the COVID-19 shortened 2020 edition – securing a second victory over Al Ittihad would see them just four games away from history.
Stage is set for CR7
Al Nassr suffered news of the worst kind ahead of their quarter-final first-leg tie last week as it was revealed a serious injury to Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca would rule him out for the rest of the season, denying the Saudi side the services of their leading goalscorer for the foreseeable future.
If that wasn’t challenge enough, Aymeric Laporte’s sending off for violent conduct in the 1-0 first-leg defeat to UAE’s Al Ain means another leader of the side will be absent from the return meeting with the Emiratis in Riyadh.
But this is exactly the type of occasion for which Cristiano Ronaldo was acquired. The Portuguese superstar is known for being a big game player, having scored in both legs of the Round of 16, and with a lengthy injury list and their backs against the wall, there is no greater time and stage for the icon to burnish his legend.
Can Al Ain return to final four?
Since their defeat to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in the 2016 final, Al Ain have never been closer to the title with the inaugural champions desiring more than just the quarter-finals.
That lone appearance in the last eight took place at the 2017 edition with Al Hilal ending their dream with a comprehensive 3-0 win in the second leg. Since then, the Emirati giants have failed to return to the latter stages of the tournament.
Fast forward to 2024 and Al Ain once more see Saudi opposition standing between them and a place in the semi-finals. Head coach Hernan Crespo has spoken about his side making history, reaching a first semi-final in seven years would be a giant step towards that goal.
Who will be the kings of Korea Republic?
For many years the narrative in the Korea Republic top flight was one that played out time and time again: eight of the nine league titles from 2014 to 2021 were lifted by the green-clad shirts of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. In the last three campaigns of that period, Ulsan rose as challenger, but each time Jeonbuk would see the Horangi challenge off.
However, this all changed in 2022. It was Ulsan’s time and their first championship since 2005 was achieved, this time Jeonbuk forced into runners-up, and that title was defended successfully last year.
So, to see the two dominant sides of Korean football’s recent history face off is an intriguing prospect with extra significance. A 1-1 draw from the first leg leaves all to play for and more on the line than a place in the semi-finals alone.
History in the making
Unlike the other six quarter-finalists, neither Shandong Taishan nor Yokohama F. Marinos have ever reached the final four in the AFC Champions League era. That drought will be ended one way or another when the two face off in the second leg in Japan.
For Shandong reaching the semi-finals would have particular significance as it would end a slump of four years since a Chinese side reached that stage of the competition, Guangzhou FC being the last side to do so in 2019.
To do so, however, they will need to overcome a first leg deficit after a 2-1 loss in Ji’nan. Choi Kang-hee’s men will not need to look far for inspiration though, having come from behind against another Japanese side, Kawasaki Frontale, in the Round of 16.
source
کلاس یوس