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The AFC Champions League 2023/24 is down to four teams following the conclusion of the quarterfinals on Wednesday, March 13.
Yokohama F. Marinos were the final side to book their last four spot after defeating Shandong Taishan FC 1-0, with the Japanese side advancing 3-1 on aggregate.
Inaugural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain were the first to advance, beating Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr 3-1 on penalties after a thrilling quarterfinal which ended 4-4 on aggregate.
The UAE side, who won the title in 2003, are making a return to the semifinals for the first time since 2016.
Up next for Al Ain are four-time Asian champions Al Hilal SFC, who cruised 4-0 on aggregate past fellow Saudi Arabia side Al Ittihad.
Tuesday’s 2-0 second leg win stretched Al Hilal’s winning run to 28 – a new world record – and the Riyadh-based side will be confident of lifting the AFC Champions League trophy for a third time after losing last year’s final to Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds.
Ulsan Hyundai FC are the other two-time AFC Champions League winners who advanced to the semifinals, edging fellow South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-1 on aggregate.
Ulsan will be appearing in the semifinals for the third time in four seasons, having won the second of their two titles in 2020.
F. Marinos are the only team in the semifinals not to have won the continental title before but the Japanese side will believe this is their year after progressing past the Round of 16 for the first time.
Semifinals (1st Leg)
April 16
Al Ain FC (UAE) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)
April 17
Ulsan Hyundai FC (KOR) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)
Return Leg: April 23, 24
