Semi-Final, 2nd Leg: 5 things to look out for

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

Semi-Final, 2nd Leg: 5 things to look out for

Kuala Lumpur: The two finalists at the AFC Champions League 2023/24™ will be decided in the coming days as Al Hilal SFC host Al Ain FC and Ulsan Hyundai FC travel to Yokohama F. Marinos in the second leg of the semi-finals.

Al Ain produced a stunning 4-2 win over Al Hilal in their first meeting while Ulsan edged Yokohama 1-0 to leave plenty to play for in the return meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.
 
As Al Ain and Ulsan prepare to make away trips to Saudi Arabia and Japan respectively, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for.

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www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_semi-finals_|_east_zone_1st_leg__|_ulsan_hyundai_fc_kor_1_-_0_yokohama_f_marinos_jpn.html

Semi-final, 1st Leg: What they said

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Semi-final, 1st Leg: What they said

Kuala Lumpur: Al Ain FC and Ulsan Hyundai FC will travel to the second legs of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-finals with leads to defend after they posted wins over Al Hilal SFC and Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg last Wednesday. 

The biggest story of the week was inaugural winners Al Ain claiming a memorable 4-2 win over Saudi powerhouse and four-time Asian champions Al Hilal, while in their quest for a third continental title, Ulsan edged Yokohama 1-0. 
 
Before turning our attention to next week’s all-important return meetings, the-AFC.com looks back at what those involved had to say. 

Semi-finals: 1st Leg in Numbers

Fri, 19 Apr, 2024

Semi-finals: 1st Leg in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 witnessed some exhilarating action as the first legs of the two semi-final contests were played out on Wednesday. 

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.

Al Ain's Rahimi promises more after ending Al Hilal's amazing run

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Al Ain's Rahimi promises more after ending Al Hilal's amazing run

Al Ain: Soufiane Rahimi promised more of the same next week after his hat-trick helped steer Al Ain to a stunning 4-2 win over Al Hilal SFC in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-final on Wednesday.

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. 

Ulsan make Hong proud; Kewell confident Marinos can bounce back

Thu, 18 Apr, 2024

Ulsan make Hong proud; Kewell confident Marinos can bounce back

Ulsan: Head coach Hong Myung-bo expressed pride after Ulsan Hyundai confirmed their spot in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 following their 1-0 win over Yokohama F. Marinos in the first leg of their AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-final on Wednesday.

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.

Group D: Kuwait 0-5 Uzbekistan

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

Group D: Kuwait 0-5 Uzbekistan

Al Wakrah: Impressive Uzbekistan secured their place in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ quarter-finals with a 5-0 win over Kuwait at the Al Janoub Stadium on Saturday. 

The victory meant Vietnam were also assured of their knockout stage spot, with the two sides to meet on Tuesday to decide the Group C winners in a repeat of the 2018 final.

Group D: Malaysia 0-2 Vietnam

Sun, 21 Apr, 2024

Group D: Malaysia 0-2 Vietnam

Doha: Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 on Saturday in Group D of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™, with the win confirming their spot in the quarter-finals following Uzbekistan's 5-0 defeat of Kuwait in the group's other tie.

Goals either side of the break gave Vietnam the win, with the Southeast Asian side to face Uzbekistan on Tuesday to decide the group winners in a meeting between the 2018 finalists. 

Shenaishil delighted with Iraq’s response

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Shenaishil delighted with Iraq’s response

Al Wakrah:  Head coach Radhi Shenaishil praised Iraq for the strong recovery which led to their 4-2 win over Tajikistan in an AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ Group C tie on Friday. 

Iraq had opened their Group C campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Thailand but Shenaishil’s players showed tremendous discipline to regroup and address their shortcomings to bounce back in style.

Hat-trick hero Radif vows to do more for Saudi Arabia

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Hat-trick hero Radif vows to do more for Saudi Arabia

Doha: Abdullah Radif became the first player to score a hat-trick at the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ since the 2016 edition and only the fourth to do so in the history of the competition as he helped Saudi Arabia to an emphatic 5-0 over Thailand on Friday.

The ecstatic 21-year-old forward said the big win was a confidence booster for the defending champions as they look to not only retain the trophy but also clinch a ticket to the Paris Olympics 2024.

Oiwa demands a more clinical Japan

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Oiwa demands a more clinical Japan

Doha: Go Oiwa wants his players to be more clinical in front of goal in pursuit of the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ title after seeing his Japan side advance to the quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over the United Arab Emirates on Friday.

Seiji Kimura and Sota Kawasaki were on target for the Japanese, who also hit the woodwork twice on their way to a comfortable victory over the Emirates that moved them onto six points from two games and sealed a spot in the next round.
 
But while the Japanese confirmed their qualification for the last eight ahead of their final Group B meeting with Korea Republic on Monday, Oiwa stressed the need for his players to show more composure in front of goal.

Hwang pleased with Korea Republic improvement, China PR display satisfies Cheng

Sat, 20 Apr, 2024

Hwang pleased with Korea Republic improvement, China PR display satisfies Cheng

Doha: When his side headed into the break with a one-goal lead against China PR on Friday at the Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, Korea Republic head coach Hwang Sun-hong admitted he was a worried man at that point in time.

That was after their Group B opponents in the AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024™ had come close to scoring on numerous occasions, some as a result of defensive lapses, even if Lee Young-jun had broken the deadlock in the 35th minute with their only effort on target.
 
It led to Hwang making much-needed adjustments to Korea Republic’s tactics and he was rewarded with an improved display after the restart, which saw the 2020 champions run out 2-0 winners.