Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal will continue the defence of their Asian Champions League title against Foolad from Iran tomorrow while compatriots Al Shabab take on Qatari giants Al Duhail.
Riyadh-based Hilal, aiming to win the title for a record fifth time, were drawn to take on the team from Khuzestan in the quarter-finals after handing Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates a 3-1 defeat in the round of 16 on Monday.
Foolad will be appearing in the last eight of the competition for the first time, having defeated another Saudi Arabian side, Al Faisaly, on Sunday. Both quarter-finals will be played in Doha.
The draw sets up the prospect of an all-Saudi semi-final on Sunday, with the winner going on to face Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds in the final over two legs on April 29 and May 6. Al Shabab advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating Nasaf Qarshi of Uzbekistan while Al Duhail eliminated compatriots Al Rayyan.
Urawa booked their place in the tournament’s decider in August and the first leg of the final will be hosted by the winners of Sunday’s semi-final, with the return played at Saitama Stadium in Japan seven days later.
On Monday night, Hilal made the quarter-finals after goals from Odion Ighalo, Jang Hyun-soo and Luciano Vietto saw the champions hand Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates a 3-1 defeat at Al Janoub Stadium.
Former Manchester United striker Ighalo sent Al Hilal on the way to victory with a 17th minute opener before second half goals from Jang and Vietto sealed the win for Ramon Diaz’s side. Ighalo struck from distance after Moussa Marega charged forward to set up the Nigerian, who stepped inside Mohamed Marzooq and unleashed a low left-foot shot from 20 metres that goalkeeper Majed Nasser could not keep out.
Shabab Al Ahli’s Omar Khribin almost levelled with a quarter of the game remaining, the Syrian’s free kick forcing Abdullah al-Mayouf to dive full length to push the ball around the post.
Al Hilal, however, added a second with 18 minutes remaining when defender Jang saw his initial header from Vietto’s free kick palmed onto the crossbar by Nasser, only for the South Korean to convert the rebound from close range.
Vietto added a third seven minutes later after Marega’s cross was flicked towards goal by Salem al-Dawsari and the Argentinian netted with his thigh, leaving Khribin’s 86th minute strike as little more than a consolation.