AFC Champions League 2023/24

Having eliminated four-time Asian champions Al Hilal SFC, inaugural winners Al Ain will be aiming to lift the trophy for the second time while Yokohama, who ousted Ulsan Hyundai FC on penalties, are set to appear in the showpiece event for the first time.

Following a pair of semi-final second legs that will live long in the memory, the-AFC.com looks back at what those involved had to say.

While Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates held on to edge Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC on aggregate and enter next month’s two-legged final from the West Zone, Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos fought back to overcome Korean champions Ulsan Hyundai FC in a penalty shootout in the other last-four clash to represent the East.

With both contests providing plenty to talk about, the-AFC.com looks back at the stats and facts that caught the eye from the second legs of the semi-finals.

In a frenetic encounter at a rain-soaked Yokohama International Stadium, the Japanese side took a 3-0 lead by the 30th minute and 3-1 on aggregate, only to be pegged back by Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai with the match then needing penalties to decide the outcome.

Amazingly, Marinos played almost 90 minutes with 10 men, with Takumi Kamijima having been sent off in the 39th minute but not only did they not concede again, Kewell's side won the shootout 5-4.

A pulsating first half at Yokohama International Stadium saw Asahi Uenaka’s double and a goal from Anderson Lopes put the Japanese side 3-1 up on aggregate.

However, a Matheus Sales header and a penalty from Darijan Bojanic brought the aggregate scoreline level at the interval as the hosts were also reduced to 10 men after Takumi Kamijima was dismissed.

With no further goals in the second half or extra time, the tie went to penalties where Eduardo struck the winning spot-kick after Yokohama goalkeeper William Popp had saved from Kim Min-woo as Yokohama booked a date with the United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain FC in next month’s final.

The captain had to be at his best as Al Ain limited Al Hilal SFC to a 2-1 win in the return leg of their semi-final with the United Arab Emirates side advancing 5-4 on aggregate.

Al Ain, who lifted the title in 2003, will face the winners between Yokohama F. Marinos and Ulsan Hyundai FC in their first AFC Champions League final since 2016.

Korea Republic's Ulsan will be defending a 1-0 lead from the first leg but Japanese side Marinos will be confident of their chances at the Yokohama International Stadium.

Al Ain, the inaugural AFC Champions League winners in 2003, won the first leg 4-2 but know that a tough 90 minutes awaits them at Riyadh's Kingdom Arena.