Gwangju are only the third team from Korea Republic that Al Hilal will be meeting. Their first two matches - against Ulsan HD - ended in defeats but their last encounter with an East Asian outfit concluded on a much happier note as Al Hilal beat Pohang Steelers in the 2021 AFC Champions League final. 

Al Hilal's first six meetings with teams from East Asia ended in two draws and four defeats but they have won six of their last seven encounters - with the only loss coming against Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds in the second leg of the 2022 final. 

Teams from Korea Republic have only lost one of their last nine matches against Saudi Arabian teams in the AFC Champions League, with the sole loss being Pohang's 2-0 defeat to Al Hilal in the 2021 final.

Al Hilal have not failed to advance to the semi-finals after reaching the last eight stage in their last seven appearances. The run started following their defeat to Ulsan HD in the 2012 quarter-finals.

A major reason why Gwangju are in the quarter-finals while teams with more history are not is their sharpness in front of the net - scoring 9.2 goals more than expected, the biggest positive

difference in this season's AFC Champions League Elite. They also have registered a 17.9% shot conversion rate with only Al Hilal (18.2%) having a higher such rate.

Al Hilal are seeking a sixth appearance in the final since 2014, having won the 2019 and 2021 editions.

Salem Al Dawsari's eight goals in this season's campaign have taken his tally on the continent to 16, with the Al Hilal skipper having scored against teams from eight different countries. The winger, however, has yet to find the net against sides from Korea Republic, Australia and India.

Gwangju's Jasir Asani is one goal short of becoming the first player from the East Zone to hit double digits since Adriano (13 for FC Seoul) and Leonardo (10 for Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC) did so in the 2016 edition.