March 30 – The AFC last week drew the match-ups for centralised Finals of the AFC Champions League Elite scheduled for April 16-25, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The matches will begin with quarter finals with the final to be played on April 25 at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, and for a record prize purse of at least $12 million.
The West Region still has to qualify four teams for the quarter finals. The Last 16 West Zone knockout rounds have been scheduled for April 13-14, and include Iran’s Tractor FC, though it is unclear if they will play due to the US/Israli war on the country.
Tractor FC have to play Shabab Al Ahli (UAE). In the other matches Al Duhail (Qatar) meet Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia), Al Wahda (UAE) play Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), and Al Sadd (Qatar) face Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia).
The winners of the Al Hilal SFC/Al Sadd SC Round of 16 tie will face Vissel Kobe in the quarter-finals. Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal topped the West Zone League Stage while Al Qatar’s Al Sadd finished eighth. Japan’s Vissel were second in the East Zone.
Defending champions Al Ahli Saudi FC or Al Duhail SC will meet Johor Darul Ta’zim FC at the last eight stage.
Japan’s FC Machida Zelvia, who topped the East Zone League Stage, will play the winners of the Al Ittihad Club/Al Wahda FC tie.
Buriram United of Thailand will face the winners of the Tractor FC-Shabab Al Ahli last 16 tie.
The quarter-finals will be played April 16, 17 and 18, and the semi-finals on April 20 and 21.
Draw Result
Al Hilal SFC (KSA)/Al Sadd SC (QAT) v Vissel Kobe (JPN)
Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA)/Al Duhail SC (QAT) v Johor Darul Ta’zim FC (MAS)
FC Machida Zelvia (JPN) v Al Ittihad Club (KSA)/Al Wahda FC (UAE)
Buriram United (THA) v Tractor FC (IRN)/Shabab Al Ahli (UAE)
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