Al Ahli renew Korean rivalry in last 8
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E-mail China.org.cn, June 21, 2013
Former finalists Al Ahli from Saudi Arabia will face K-League champions FC Seoul in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League following Thursday's knockout stage draw in Kuala Lumpur.
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Knockout stage draw of AFC Champions League takes place in Kuala Lumpur. |
Al Ahli, who lost last year's final 3-0 to Ulsan Hyundai from Korea Republic, ensured a return to the last eight by winning Group C with an unbeaten record before downing Qatar's El Jaish 3-1 on aggregate in the Round of 16.
And following the appointment of former Porto coach Vitor Pereira after progressing to the last eight under Aleksandar Ilic, Al Ahli could face either newly crowned champions Esteghlal or Thailand's Buriram United in the semi-finals.
On the other side of the draw, Emperor's Cup winners Kashiwa Reysol will look to keep alive hopes of a first Japanese winner of the AFC Champions League in five years against Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab, while Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande will take on Qatar's Lekhwiya having also qualified for the quarter-finals for a second consecutive season.
"We are happy to be in the quarter-finals and we are ready to play and hopefully we will qualify for the semi-finals," said Al Ahli Team Manager Mohammed Al Harthi.
"The first leg will take place before the start of our league so it will be good for us to play the first leg at home.
"I think we have a better team this year and we have a new coach so we hope to do better than last year."
Group E winners FC Seoul secured a third AFC Champions League quarter-final appearance in five years after recording a 3-1 comeback win over China's Beijing Guoan in the last 16.
Guangzhou, meanwhile, became the first Chinese Super League side to reach the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League since 2006 last year before suffering a hard-fought 5-4 aggregate defeat by two-time champions Al Ittihad.
This year thanks to eight goals from tournament leading scorer Muriqui, Marcello Lippi's Guangzhou won Group F ahead of former champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Urawa Reds before posting a 5-1 aggregate victory over A-League Grand Final winners Central Coast Mariners in the last 16.
"As is the case with any draw, it's not really about which opponent we play but it's more about how strong we are," said Guangzhou president Liu Yongzhuo.
"Last year we had the experience of playing in West Asia and there is an old saying in Chinese: the first time you are a stranger but the second time you are familiar, so we think this year we will perform better than we did last season.
"This year our target has always been to at least reach the semi-final and, if we can, get to the final and maybe win the title and become champions. So we'll do our best and hopefully we can be successful."
Having won Group B, Lekhwiya held off a second-half fight back from Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal to advance to the last eight for the first time 3-2 on aggregate following a 2-2 draw in the second leg.
Elsewhere, Kashiwa will look to continue their impressive AFC Champions League form this season against 2012 Saudi League champions Al Shabab.
The Emperor's Cup winners comfortably topped Group H with an unbeaten record before downing 2006 champions Jeonbuk in the last 16 with an eye-catching 5-2 aggregate victory to earn a quarter-final appearance in only their second AFC Champions League campaign after also reaching the Round of 16 last year.
Al Shabab qualified for the quarter-finals for the third time with a 5-1 aggregate victory over Qatar's Al Gharafa in the last 16 having won Group A.
Finally, Thailand's Buriram must overcome newly crowned Iranian champions Esteghlal if they are to continue to follow in the footsteps of inaugural finalists and compatriots BEC Tero Sasana.
Buriram became the only runner-up from the Group Stage - having finished second in Group E behind FC Seoul - to reach the quarter-finals with a 2-1 aggregate win over two-time semi-finalists Bunyodkor following a hard-fought goalless draw in Tashkent in the second leg.
Esteghlal are also appearing in the quarter-finals for the first time after topping a tough Group D ahead of Al Hilal and UAE Pro League champions Al Ain before recording a 4-2 aggregate victory over Al Shabab Al Arabi in the Round of 16.
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