At least one ASEAN team is assured a place in the semi-finals of the AFC Champions League Two with Singapore’s Tampines Rovers FC up against against Bangkok United for the quarter-finals.
The cast for the quarter-finals was completed last night following the conclusion of the Round of 16.
Tampines Rovers FC defeated Cong An Ha Noi FC of Vietnam 6-1 on aggregate in their pre quarter-final clash. As for Bangkok United, they cruised to a 4-2 on aggregate over Australia’s Macarthur FC.
Tampines are aiming to better fellow Singapore side Lion City Sailors FC’s runners-up finish last season and will be determined to not slip up against their ASEAN rivals.
The first leg of the quarter-finals are scheduled for March 3-5, with the return set of fixtures to be contested a week later.
Al Wasl FC will square off against Al Nassr Club in their quarter-final match-up, and the side from the United Arab Emirates will have to brace themselves for a tough test.
Al Nassr didn’t need to go into top gear to see off the challenge of Turkmenistan’s FK Arkadag in the Round of 16, with the Saudi Pro League side winning 2-0 on aggregate.
That stretched their perfect record on the continental stage this season to eight matches, with many touting the Riyadh-based side as favourites for the title.
Al Wasl, however, will draw confidence from their own run, which saw them battling to a 6-5 aggregate win against Iraq’s Al Zawraa SC in the Round of 16, with victory being achieved after extra-time.
Al Ahli SC also needed an additional 30 minutes to see off the challenge of Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan FC and will count on their resilience to take them past Al Hussein in the quarter-finals.
Tied 2-2 on aggregate at the end of the two-leg tie, Sekou Yansane’s strike in the first minute of extra-time on Wednesday booked the Qatari club’s ticket at the expense of their Islamic Republic of Iran challengers.
Al Hussein will, however, be tough opponents, with the Jordanian side having enjoyed smooth passage into the quarter-finals with a 4-2 aggregate victory against Iran’s Esteghlal FC.
Gamba Osaka will be optimistic of going all the way after defeating FC Pohang Steelers 3-2 on aggregate.
Tied 1-1 after the first leg, Japan’s Gamba raced to a 2-0 lead in the return leg at home before staving off a spirited fightback from Korea Republic’s Pohang to advance to a meeting with Thailand’s Ratchaburi FC.
Ratchaburi impressed in the Round of 16, defeating Indonesia’s Persib Bandung 3-1 on aggregate and the Thai side will relish the opportunity of locking horns with Gamba.
Q-finals
Al Wasl FC (UAE) v Al Nassr Club (KSA)
Al Ahli SC (QAT) v Al Hussein (JOR)
Gamba Osaka (JPN) v Ratchaburi FC (THA)
Bangkok United (THA) v Tampines Rovers FC (SGP)
(1st Leg: March 3-5; 2nd Leg: March 10-12)
