The Asian Champions League has reached its decisive stage with the announcement of the quarterfinal matchups, released on Monday, March 17, by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). Only eight teams remain in the race for the continental title, and Saudi Arabia stands out with a strong presence, qualifying three giants: Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli. The matches, now set to be single-leg encounters, are scheduled to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, between April 25 and May 3, promising an electrifying final stretch. Al-Hilal, led by Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus, will face Gwangju from South Korea, while Al-Nassr, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, takes on Japan’s Yokohama Marinos. Meanwhile, Al-Ahli, with Roberto Firmino in its ranks, squares off against Thailand’s Buriram United.
In this edition, the competition introduced a revamped format, starting with a league phase of 24 teams, each playing eight matches before advancing to the knockout rounds. Now, hosting all games in Jeddah raises the stakes, especially with a record-breaking $12 million prize for the champion—the largest ever in Asian club football. The winner also secures spots in the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and the 2025 Intercontinental Cup, alongside a berth in the next tournament edition if they don’t qualify domestically.
Saudi Arabia’s dominance in the quarterfinals reflects the country’s heavy investment in football, with global stars like Ronaldo, Firmino, and Al-Ahli’s Riyad Mahrez boosting the technical level. Joining the three Saudi clubs from the west, Qatar’s Al-Sadd faces Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale. From the east, Gwangju, Buriram United, and Yokohama Marinos add diversity, representing five nations in a fiercely competitive field.
The road to the quarterfinals showcased the prowess of Saudi clubs, who dominated the western region during the group stage. Al-Hilal finished as the undisputed leader, securing seven wins and one draw in eight matches, driven by a relentless attack featuring players like Malcom and Salem Al-Dawsari. In the round of 16, they overturned a 1-0 first-leg loss to Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor with a commanding 4-0 home victory, with goals from Hamad Al-Yami, Malcom, Salem Al-Dawsari, and Nasser Al-Dawsari sealing their place and reinforcing their status as favorites under Jorge Jesus, who has made the Asian title his personal mission.
Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr also shone in the initial phase, recording seven and five wins, respectively. Al-Ahli, managed by Matthias Jaissle, matched Al-Hilal’s points but settled for second due to goal difference. In the round of 16, they dispatched Qatar’s Al-Rayyan with a 5-1 aggregate, including a 2-0 second-leg win powered by Mahrez, who leads the tournament with eight goals and seven assists so far. Al-Nassr, bolstered by Cristiano Ronaldo, progressed convincingly, defeating Iran’s Esteghlal 3-0 in the return leg after a goalless draw, with Ronaldo and Jhon Durán starring in the victory.
This Saudi consistency is no fluke, given their recent track record. Al-Hilal, with a record four Asian titles, aims for a fifth, while Al-Nassr and Al-Ahli chase past glories. Qatar’s Al-Sadd, the west’s sole non-Saudi representative, also arrives in form after ousting Al-Wasl from the UAE with a 4-2 aggregate, proving the region remains highly competitive.
From the quarterfinals onward, the Asian Champions League adopts a centralized format in Jeddah, a move that benefits Saudi clubs playing on home soil. Here’s the schedule for the upcoming stages:
This tight schedule demands intense preparation but gives a logistical edge to the local teams, sparing them long travels. As the western top seed, Al-Hilal can only meet eastern leader Yokohama Marinos in the final, raising the prospect of domestic showdowns earlier in the knockout rounds.
While the west is Saudi-heavy, the east offers balance with teams from Japan, South Korea, and Thailand. Yokohama Marinos, Japan’s reigning champions, reached the quarterfinals after eliminating China’s Shanghai Port, overturning a 1-0 first-leg deficit with a 4-1 home win. They now face Al-Nassr in a matchup pitting Cristiano Ronaldo against Japan’s disciplined defense, renowned for its tactical cohesion.
South Korea’s Gwangju pulled off an upset by knocking out Japan’s Vissel Kobe in the round of 16, advancing with a gritty win that showcased their resilience. Their next test is Al-Hilal, a daunting challenge that will gauge their ability to topple elite opposition. Kawasaki Frontale, another Japanese side, progressed steadily and now meets Al-Sadd in a clash promising parity between two seasoned continental outfits.
Thailand’s Buriram United rounds out the eastern contingent, advancing past Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim with a lone goal from Suphanat Mueanta in the second leg. The Thai club, already a historic quarterfinalist, faces Al-Ahli in a matchup contrasting Saudi tradition with Southeast Asia’s rising football scene.
The quarterfinal matchups spotlight some of Asia’s—and the world’s—biggest football names. Cristiano Ronaldo, with an impressive goal-scoring rate since joining Al-Nassr, is the key weapon against Yokohama Marinos. The Portuguese star, who notched 35 goals in a single Saudi League season, is chasing his first continental title with the club, supported by emerging talent Jhon Durán, a standout in the round of 16.
Al-Hilal, under Jorge Jesus, boasts a star-studded squad, including ex-Barcelona forward Malcom and Salem Al-Dawsari, the 2022 World Cup hero for his goal against Argentina. Al-Ahli leans on Riyad Mahrez, in top form, and Roberto Firmino, aiming to rediscover his peak performance. Other notables like Al-Sadd’s Akram Afif and the Japanese stars of Kawasaki and Yokohama elevate the tournament’s technical quality.
With renowned coaches like Jesus and hefty roster investments, the quarterfinals serve as a showcase for Asia’s growing football stature. Saudi clubs, in particular, ride high after strong knockout performances, though the eastern teams could spring surprises.
With the matchups set, the Asian Champions League quarterfinals promise excitement and rivalry. Al-Hilal, with its pedigree and current form, is favored against Gwangju, but the South Koreans have already shown they can defy odds. Al-Ahli, fueled by Mahrez, takes on a Buriram United dreaming of history, while the Yokohama Marinos vs. Al-Nassr duel tests Ronaldo’s knockout-stage experience.
Kawasaki Frontale vs. Al-Sadd shapes up as the most balanced tie, pitting two tactically astute teams against each other. Key highlights to watch include:
Jeddah’s centralized hosting adds an extra layer, with local crowds potentially tipping the scales for Saudi teams.
The Asian Champions League’s endgame is about more than just the trophy—it’s about shaping football’s future in the region. For Al-Hilal, a win would cement their continental dominance, while Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr aims to make a historic mark with a first modern-era title. Al-Ahli seeks to reclaim past glory from its two-time championship days.
Buriram United and Gwangju carry their nations’ hopes for a maiden triumph, while Yokohama Marinos and Kawasaki Frontale strive to keep Japan a regional powerhouse. Al-Sadd, with its own storied past, eyes a repeat of its 2011 success. With $12 million and a Club World Cup berth at stake, the pressure is immense for all eight contenders.
The May 3 final at King Abdullah Sports City will cap a tournament blending tradition, investment, and emerging markets. First, the quarterfinals from April 25-27 will determine who takes the next step toward Asian football supremacy.