January 2 – Whereas the main focus of Asian soccer will probably be on the 2023 Asian Cup that kicks off January 12 in Qatar, the AFC’s Champions League  2023/24 has now reached the final 16 knockout stage with the draw having been held earlier than the brand new yr.

The spherical of 16 will probably be performed in February, onerous on the heels of the Asian Cup last that will probably be performed February 12.

The East and West zones will play off in their very own areas with six former Asian champions within the  knockout stage.

Within the West zone 4 Saudi Arabian groups make up the eight regional contenders for 1 / 4 last slot.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr, searching for their first Champions League title, will meet Saudi rivals Al Fayha.

In the meantime Saudi’s four-time Asian champions Al Hilal and their free-scoring ahead Aleksander Mitrovic open their spherical of 16 tie away to Iran’s Sepahan SC, runners-up of the 2007 version of the event. Al Hilal will probably be with out Neymar following a critical knee damage that may maintain him out for an additional seven months.

Saudi Arabia’s fourth final 16 qualifier, two-time Champions League winners Al Ittihad – who’ve the star energy of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante and Fabinho to name on – will face Uzbekistan’s Navbahor.

Inaugural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain of the UAE will play Uzbekistan’s FC Nasaf.

Japan and South Korea dominate the qualifiers within the East Zone. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC will host Pohang Steelers in an all-Korea Republic affair – each are former Asian champions.

Debutants Ventforet Kofu face Korea Republic’s two-time champions Ulsan Hyundai FC, with the Japanese facet to play the primary leg away.

Shandong Taishan FC of China PR will host Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale whereas Bangkok United of Thailand will play Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos.

Schedule

Spherical 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)
Quarter-finals
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
Semi-finals
West (April 16, 23)
SF1: Winners of QF1 v Winners of QF2
East (April 17, 24)
SF2: Winners of QF3 v Winners of QF4
Closing (Might 11, 25)
Winners of SF2 v Winners of SF1

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