ACL hots up with draw pitching Qatar’s unbeaten Al Duhail against Iranian giants Persepolis

May 23 –  The quarter-final ties for this season’s Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League and the fixtures for the next phase of the AFC Cup were all confirmed on Wednesday.

In the AFC Champions League, Qatar’s Al Duhail, who have just completed a domestic treble, will look to maintain their 100% AFC Champions League record when they face Iran’s Persepolis over two legs on August 28 and September 18.

Elsewhere, Iranian side Esteghlal will be up against Al Sadd, while – in the East of the continent – Kashima Antlers from Japan have been drawn to play China’s Tianjin Quanjian, and there is an all-South Korean last eight showdown in the shape of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors versus Suwon Samsung Bluewings.

Commenting on the draw, AFC General Secretary Dato’ Windsor John said: “From record attendances to greater fan engagement, the AFC Champions League continues to capture imaginations in Asia and beyond.

“Above all, it provides the ultimate stage for the stars of the Asian game to shine.”

Meanwhile, in the AFC Cup Inter-Zone semi-finals, East Zone champions 4.25 from North Korea will face either Singapore’s Home United or Philippines outfit Ceres Negros, who meet in the ASEAN Zonal final on August 1 and 8.

The other Inter-Zone semi-final encounter sees Indian heavyweights JSW Bengaluru pitted against Turkmenistan’s Altyn Asyr.

In West Asia’s Zonal final, Al Jazeera from Jordan will play host to defending champions Air Force Club of Iraq on September 18 in the first leg before the return tie two weeks later. West Asia’s champions will earn a place in the AFC Cup final.

The AFC Cup is in its second season under the current format after a major overhaul of the competition in 2017 introduced a more regionalised approach to the continental club event.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1711695948labto1711695948ofdlr1711695948owedi1711695948sni@o1711695948fni1711695948


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