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Semi-final, 2nd Leg: What they said

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Semi-final, 2nd Leg: What they said

Kuala Lumpur: The AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 semi-finals delivered in spectacular fashion over the past few days as the United Arab Emirates’ Al Ain FC and Yokohama F. Marinos of Japan booked their tickets to May’s final.

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.

Semi-finals: 2nd Leg in Numbers

Fri, 26 Apr, 2024

Semi-finals: 2nd Leg in Numbers

Kuala Lumpur: Only two clubs remain in the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 after the semi-final stage of the continental competition came to an exciting conclusion on Wednesday.

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.

Kewell: Marinos can handle any kind of pressure

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Kewell: Marinos can handle any kind of pressure

Yokohama: Harry Kewell expressed pride in the resilience of his players after Yokohama F. Marinos advanced to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on Wednesday.

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.   

Mariners’ Jackson eyes title, heartbreak for Abdysh-Ata’s Akhmedov

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Mariners’ Jackson eyes title, heartbreak for Abdysh-Ata’s Akhmedov

Gosford: Head coach Mark Jackson has firmly set his eyes on the big prize after his Central Coast Mariners side defeated FK Abdysh-Ata Kant 4-1 on aggregate to clinch a place in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 final against Lebanon’s Al Ahed FC.

The 46-year-old Englishman, while delighted that his players passed a  stiff test, does not see it as the end of a journey for his Australian outfit, saying the club from top to bottom stand together in their bid to win the final edition of the AFC Cup.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/video/acl_-_sf_|_east_zone_2nd_leg_|_yokohama_f_marinos_jpn_3_-_2_5_-_4_pso_ulsan_hyundai_fc_kor.html

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www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_champions_league/photo/s-final_2nd_leg_yokohama_f_marinos_jpn_v_ulsan_hyundai_fc_kor_.html

Marinos defeat Ulsan in semi-final thriller

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Marinos defeat Ulsan in semi-final thriller

Yokohama: Yokohama F. Marinos advanced to the AFC Champions League™ final for the first time after beating Ulsan Hyundai FC 5-4 on penalties in the second leg of the semi-final on Wednesday following a 3-3 draw on aggregate.

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.

Late goals send Mariners into final

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Late goals send Mariners into final

Gosford: Australia’s Central Coast Mariners are through to the final of the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 after defeating FK Abdysh-Ata Kant of Kyrgyz Republic 3-0 in the second leg of the Inter-Zone final on Wednesday.

After a goalless first half at Central Coast Stadium, Miguel Di Pizio found the breakthrough for the hosts in the 78th minute before a goal from Mikael Doka and a second from Di Pizio sealed their 4-1 aggregate win and booked the title clash with Lebanon’s Al Ahed FC on May 5.

www.the-afc.com/en/club/afc_cup/photo/inter-zone_final_2nd_leg_central_coast_mariners_fc_aus_v_fk_abdysh-ata_kant_kgz.html

Eisa proud to have helped Al Ain advance

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Eisa proud to have helped Al Ain advance

Riyadh: Goalkeeper Khaled Eisa was thrilled to have played a major role in Al Ain securing passage to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on Tuesday.

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.

Melki: Al Ahed worked really hard for the victory

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Melki: Al Ahed worked really hard for the victory

Muscat: George Melki hailed his teammates after Al Ahed booked their place in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 final at Al Nahda's expense on Tuesday.

Leading 1-0 after the first leg, Lebanon's Al Ahed found themselves pegged back by Omer Al Malki's equaliser.
 
Lee Erwin, however, scored twice after coming off the bench with Walter Bwalya's late goal proving to be a mere consolation as 2019 AFC Cup winners Al Ahed advanced 3-2 on aggregate.