We are heading into the final stretch of the 2024/25 AFC Champions League Elite with eight teams vying to claim the continental holy grail.
The last-16 did not produce too many surprises, with big guns Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal and Al-Sadd among the teams who progressed to the quarter-finals.
Read on as assess how the AFC Champions League Elite is progressing, before looking at the latest developments in the second tier of the competition.
AFC Champions League Elite Reaches Quarter-Final Stage
The AFC Champions League Elite quarter-final draw produced some mouth-watering match-ups.
For the first time since 2013, teams from the East and West regions have not been kept apart until the final.
Al-Nassr will take on Yokohama F Marinos. They booked their spot in the last eight with a 3-0 aggregate win over Esteghlal FC, while Yokohama thrashed Shanghai Port 5-1 overall.
Whoever comes out on top between Al-Nassr and Yokohama will face either Kawasaki Frontale or Al-Sadd in the semi-finals.
Four-time champions Al-Hilal will get the quarter-finals underway with a mouth-watering contest against surprise package Gwangju on April 25.
The reigning Saudi Pro League (SPL) champions are one of only two unbeaten teams in the competition and are favourites to go all the way.
The other unbeaten team, Al-Ahli, will face Buriram United. The SPL side have never got their hands on the AFC Champions League title.
They have finished as runners-up twice, but it has been 13 years since they made it to the showpiece, and they will be keen to buck that trend this season.
Despite boasting a star-studded squad with Riyad Mahrez, Roberto Firmino, Ivan Toney, Franck Kessie and Gabri Veiga, Al-Ahli are not challenging for the SPL title.
The quarter-final games will be played between April 25 and 27, while the semi-finals are scheduled for April 29 and 30. The showpiece will take place on May 3.
A-League Side Spring a Surprise in AFC Champions League Two
The AFC Champions League Two competition is also moving into the critical phase, with two exciting semi-final showdowns on the agenda.
One of the most eye-catching results in the quarter-final came at the Allianz Stadium, where Australian side Sydney FC came from behind to beat South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.
Sydney went into the second leg with a 2-0 lead but were dealt a harsh reality check when Jeon Jin-woo netted twice in the first half to draw Jeonbuk level.
The Australian side had a chance to put the tie to bed early on, but Patryk Klimala’s effort was deflected out for a corner.
Sydney were nearly punished when Jin-woo threatened to bag a hat-trick just seconds into the second half. They had goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares to thank for a miraculous save that kept them in the tie.
The early second-half scare was the pick-me-up Sydney needed, and they responded with a resurgence inspired by Douglas Costa.
The former Bayern Munich and Juventus star played a huge role as goals from Alex Grant and Klimala drew Sydney level in the game and handed them a two-goal cushion in the tie.
Costa then wrapped up the win with a late spot-kick that effectively confirmed Sydney’s place in the AFC Champions League Two semi-final.
The A-League side will now face Lion City Sailors in the semi-finals – a game that will be the centre of attention for Australian sports bettors.
Considering how far Sydney have come, many punters will check out the Topsport Review in Australia for insights on their odds and chances of making it to the AFC Champions League Two final.
The respected sportsbook offers a wide range of markets on football, and they will be braced for a surge of activity in the run up to Sydney’s upcoming continental clash with the Sailors.
Sydney will fancy their chances of going all the way, but their semi-final opponents have shown that they are no pushovers.
The Sailors demolished Muang Thong United 7-2 aggregate in the last-16 before swatting aside Sanfrecce Hiroshima 4-1 overall in the quarter-finals.
Al-Taawoun take on Al-Sharjah in the other semi-final. Both clubs needed penalties to reach the last four, so fans can expect a closely fought contest with a place in the showpiece event up for grabs.
