AFC Champions League 2023/24

Among West Asian clubs, only two (Al Hilal and Al Sadd) have played in the AFC Champions League more than Al Ain, and only Al Hilal have contested the knockout stages of the competition more times than the Emirati powerhouse. Ahead of the first leg of the final, the-AFC.com revisits Al Ain’s journey in the continental competition over the past two decades.

Three-time winners Urawa Red Diamonds, along with Gamba Osaka and Kashima Antlers – who have won the title once apiece – have all lifted the trophy meaning Yokohama will also become the fourth J1 League side to be crowned champions should they overcome their Emirati opponents.

With the first leg of the final to take place at Yokohama International Stadium on Saturday, the-AFC.com looks back at the Marinos’ history in the continent’s premier club competition.

Twenty years earlier, Al Ain were also involved in the final, and with clubs moving into the AFC Champions League Elite and AFC Champions League 2 as of next season, the-AFC.com looks back at some of the most memorable final first legs.

Both will be determined to lift the trophy in the final season of the AFC Champions League in its present format, with a new three-tier club system to be introduced from the 2024/25 season.

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.