December 8 – The chances of an all-Korean semi-final in the East zone of the AFC Champions League have increased with Ulsan Hyundai FC and Suwon Samsung Bluewings being drawn in opposite quarter finals, to be played on Thursday in Qatar.
Suwon Samsung Bluewings were the last of the four teams to qualify for the quarter finals with a three-goal second half comeback to overcome Japan’s Yokohama F Marinos who had led 1-0 at half time.
Suwon will now face Japan’s Vissel Kobe who won their last 16 match up against Shanghai SIPG 2-0, including a goal from Andres Iniesta.
The other semi-final will see the two unbeaten form sides of the group stages face off with Ulsan Hyundai FC being drawn against China’s Beijing FC.
Both matches will be held at the All Janoub Stadium in Doha.
Ulsan Hyundai FC have been on a six-match winning streak since touching down in Doha, advancing to the quarter-finals for the first since winning the title in 2012.
Beijing FC, have ended a sequence of Round of 16 defeats in 2010, 2013, and 2015 and set a club record of a seven-match unbeaten run by beating FC Tokyo in their last match.
The semi-final will be played on Sunday 13 December with Iran’s Persepolis, winners of the West zone qualifiers, waiting for them in the final on Saturday 19 December in Qatar.
The winner qualifies for the February 2021 edition of the Club World Cup – also in Qatar.
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