Al-Ahli will face Al-Ain in the group stage of the AFC Champions League
Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ahli, which has won the AFC Champions League twice in a row, will face the United Arab Emirates’ Al-Ain—the 2024 tournament champion — in the group stage of the Asian Champions League Elite. This was determined by the draw for the expanded tournament, held on August 18 in Kuala Lumpur.
Al-Ahli, led by Marino Pušić after Matthias Jaisle left the club to join Newcastle United, will also face Qatar’s Al-Sadd, Al-Shamal, and Al-Gharafa. The Saudi club’s other opponents will be Shabab Al-Ahli and Al-Wasl from the UAE, as well as Uzbekistan’s Neftchi and Pakhtakor.
The number of teams in the league stage has been increased from 24 to 32. The first round is set to begin on September 14, and the league phase will conclude on February 17.
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The Japanese club Kashima Antlers, the last East Asian participant in this year’s tournament and a former title winner, will face two-time tournament champion Jeonbuk Motors from South Korea. Their other opponents will include Thailand’s Buriram United, Port, and Ratchaburi; tournament debutant Cong An Hanoi from Vietnam; South Korea’s Daejeon Citizens and Pohang Steelers, as well as Australia’s Newcastle Jets.
In the group stage, clubs from West and East Asia were divided into two groups of 16 teams each. The top eight teams from each group will advance to the playoffs. The round of 16 matches will also be played on a regional basis, and the winners of those matches will advance to the centralized final stage in Saudi Arabia. The quarterfinals, semifinals, and final will take place from April 23 to May 1.
