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Latest update on AFC Champions League™ 2023/24

Tue, 16 Apr, 2024

Latest update on AFC Champions League™ 2023/24

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 Semi-final first leg match between Al Ain FC of the United Arab Emirates and Al Hilal SFC of Saudi Arabia has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

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.

Preview - East Semi-final (1st Leg): Ulsan Hyundai FC (Kor) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Tue, 16 Apr, 2024

Preview - East Semi-final (1st Leg): Ulsan Hyundai FC (Kor) v Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

Ulsan: Ulsan Hyundai FC will tread with caution when they host Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 East semi-final on Wednesday.

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

Preview - West Semi-final (1st Leg): Al Ain FC (UAE) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Mon, 15 Apr, 2024

Preview - West Semi-final (1st Leg): Al Ain FC (UAE) v Al Hilal SFC (KSA)

Al Ain: Al Ain FC will have to overcome a major hurdle if their dream to lift the coveted AFC Champions League™ trophy for a second time is to be realised.

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.

#ACL - Semi-Final (East): Ones to Watch

Sat, 13 Apr, 2024

#ACL - Semi-Final (East): Ones to Watch

Kuala Lumpur: Some of the best players in Asia will battle it out as Korean champions Ulsan Hyundai FC meet Japan’s Yokohama F. Marinos in the upcoming East Zone semi-finals of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24.

With the stakes high, the spotlight shines brightly as both sets of players aim to make an impact and send their team through to face either the United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain FC or Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal SFC for the ultimate prize in Asian club football.
 
With the two-legged semi-final taking place on April 17 and 24, join the-AFC.com as we take a look at three stars from each side who could help decide who will advance to next month’s final.

#ACL - Semi-final (West): Ones to Watch

Sat, 13 Apr, 2024

#ACL - Semi-final (West): Ones to Watch

Al Ain: The race for the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 title boils down to four teams as the competition enters the semi-final stage. Former champions Al Ain and Al Hilal lock horns on the west side with the first leg taking place in the UAE on Tuesday.

With both sides boasting multiple local and international stars, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on three stars from each side that could make the difference in their respective teams’ pursuit of a spot in the final.

#ACL - East S-Final: How they got there

Sun, 14 Apr, 2024

#ACL - East S-Final: How they got there

Ulsan: Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai FC will host Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 East semi-final on Wednesday.

It promises to be an enthralling showdown with Ulsan Hyundai seeking a third continental title while Yokohama will be aiming to lift the coveted trophy for the first time.
 
Join the-AFC.com as we take a look at how the two sides progressed to the semi-finals.

#ACL - West S-Final: How they got there

Fri, 12 Apr, 2024

#ACL - West S-Final: How they got there

Al Ain: Al Ain FC will host Al Hilal SFC in the first leg of the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 West semi-final on Tuesday.

Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates are aiming to lift the trophy for the first time since emerging champions in the inaugural edition in 2003 while Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal are seeking their third title.
 
The-AFC.com retraces their journey to the semi-finals.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_preview_semi-finals.html

Hong determined to power Ulsan to continental glory

Fri, 12 Apr, 2024

Hong determined to power Ulsan to continental glory

Ulsan: Hong Myung-bo has done almost everything during a career that saw him play at four FIFA World Cup Finals and coach Korea Republic to Olympic bronze in London in 2012. Now he has his sights set on steering Ulsan Hyundai into the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final.

It’s almost two-and-a-half years since Hong Myung-bo replaced Kim Do-hoon as Ulsan Hyundai head coach, and the Korea Republic legend has barely put a foot out of place since.
 
Back-to-back K League 1 titles in his first two seasons at the helm saw Hong build on his predecessor’s achievements, ending a run of domestic disappointment after Kim’s side had become perennial bridesmaids during Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors’ period of dominance.

Kewell, Marinos already in sync ahead of Ulsan showdown

Thu, 11 Apr, 2024

Kewell, Marinos already in sync ahead of Ulsan showdown

Kuala Lumpur: Harry Kewell takes Yokohama F. Marinos into their first AFC Champions League™ semi-final when the Japanese side face Ulsan Hyundai over two legs, with the former Socceroos forward having endured a rapid-fire introduction to life at the helm of the Japanese giants.

There was very little time for Harry Kewell to acclimatise to his new surroundings when he arrived in Japan as the latest Australian coaching import to take the helm of five-time J1 League title winners Yokohama F. Marinos.
 
The 45-year-old’s appointment at the end of last year, while long rumoured as speculation swirled around incumbent Kevin Muscat’s future plans, had been unexpected.
 
Despite a stellar playing career with Leeds United, Liverpool and Australia, Kewell’s limited coaching record meant his selection to follow J1 League-conquering coaches Muscat and Ange Postecoglou was met with some surprise.

Quarter-finals, 2nd Leg: What They Said

Fri, 15 Mar, 2024

Quarter-finals, 2nd Leg: What They Said

Kuala Lumpur: The line-up for the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-finals was decided this week after Al Ain FC, Al Hilal SFC, Ulsan Hyundai FC and Yokohama F. Marinos emerged victorious.

World records, injury woes, and eyes firmly fixed on the prize as the 2023/24 quarter-finals concluded in exciting style with the second leg matches played out in Saudi Arabia, Korea Republic, and Japan. Here's the post-match reaction from some of the key men involved.

Kewell proud of F. Marinos' resilience

Wed, 13 Mar, 2024

Kewell proud of F. Marinos' resilience

Yokohama: Harry Kewell praised his Yokohama F Marinos players as the J1 League outfit advanced to the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League for the first time with a 1-0 win on Wednesday that sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory over Chinese Super League side Shandong Taishan.

Anderson Lopes’ 75th minute goal took Marinos through in front of their own fans despite playing much of the second half at Yokohama International Stadium with 10 men due to Katsuya Nagato’s sending off for a second yellow card in the 47th minute.