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The AFC Champions League 2023/24 knockout stage has all the ingredients to be an exciting affair following the official draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Thursday, December 28.
Six former Asian champions were among the teams who advanced to the knockout stage, with the Round of 16 scheduled to be played in February.
Inaugural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates will play FC Nasaf with the Uzbekistan club to host the first leg of the Round of 16 clash.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, seeking their first title, will meet Al Fayha SC in an all-Saudi Arabian clash.
Four-time Asian champions Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia will travel to play Iran’s Sepahan SC, runners-up of the 2007 edition of the tournament.
Two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia will face Uzbekistan’s Navbahor in the fourth last 16 tie of the West Zone.
In the East Zone, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC will host Pohang Steelers in an all-South Korea affair, with both teams former Asian champions.
Debutants Ventforet Kofu face South Korea’s two-time champions Ulsan Hyundai FC, with the Japanese side to play the first leg away.
Shandong Taishan FC of China will host Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale while Bangkok United of Thailand will play Yokohama F. Marinos with all four teams bidding to win the title for the first time.
Schedule
Round of 16
West (February 12/13; February 19/20)
R16-1: FC Nasaf (UZB) v Al Ain FC (UAE)
R16-2: Al Fayha SC (KSA) v Al Nassr (KSA)
R16-3: Sepahan SC (IRN) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)
R16-4: Navbahor (UZB) v Al Ittihad (KSA)
East (February 13/14; February 20/21)
R16-5: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC (KOR) v Pohang Steelers (KOR)
R16-6: Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) v Ventforet Kofu (JPN)
R16-7: Shandong Taishan (CHN) v Kawasaki Frontale (JPN)
R16-8: Bangkok United (THA) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)
Quarterfinals
West (March 4/5; March 11/12)
QF1: Winners of R16-1 v Winners of R16-2
QF2: Winners of R16-3 v Winners of R16-4
East (March 5/6; March 12/13)
QF3: Winners of R16-5 v Winners of R16-6
QF4: Winners of R16-7 v Winners of R16-8
Semifinals
West (April 16, 23)
SF1: Winners of QF1 v Winners of QF2
East (April 17, 24)
SF2: Winners of QF3 v Winners of QF4
Final (May 11, 18)
Winners of SF2 v Winners of SF1
