AFC Champions League 2023/24

Korean champions Ulsan Hyundai FC earned a narrow 1-0 win against Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in the East Zone while Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates registered a 4-2 victory against four-time Asian champions Al Hilal SFC in the West.

With plenty still to play for in the return legs next week, the-AFC.com looks back at the stats and facts that caught the eye from the first meetings between the semi-finalists.

The Morocco striker scored all of his goals in the first half as UAE's Al Ain stopped Al Hilal's world-record breaking run at 34 wins.

Although there is still work to be done if Ulsan are to stay on track for a third continental title, the slender first leg win over Marinos meant they are assured of being one of the four Asian teams who will compete in next year's expanded FIFA Club World Cup.

The Saudi powerhouse came into the game off the back of a world record 34-match winning run, but Al Ain head coach Hernan Crespo guided his side over the team that had beaten his Al Duhail side 7-0 at the same stage last season.

The hosts opened the scoring at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium shortly before the 20-minute mark through Lee Dong-gyeong before Ulsan captain Joo Min-kyu hit the woodwork midway through the second half.

Two-time champions Ulsan, who confirmed their place in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with the win, could have added to their lead but in the end had to settle for the one-goal victory to leave the semi-final perfectly poised ahead of the second leg on April 24.

The match was scheduled to be played today at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium in Al Ain at 8pm local time. However, following an advisory from the UAE authorities, the UAE Football Association has suspended all football activities for Tuesday, keeping in view the safety of all fans, players and stakeholders.

Korea Republic's Ulsan are seeking a third title while Japan's Marinos are appearing in the semi-finals for the first time.

Winners of the inaugural edition in 2003, standing in Al Ain's way in the semi-finals of the 2023/24 edition are a phenomenal Al Hilal SFC.

Al Ain are making a return to the semi-final stage for the first time since 2016, when they went on to finish runners-up to Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Korea Republic but the United Arab Emirates' side have, however, played some incredible football on the continental stage and will not be overawed by Al Hilal despite the Saudi Arabian side's incredible form.