AFC Champions League Quarterfinal Draw: Yokohama Faces CR7! Two High-Stakes Clashes as Japan’s Duo Battle in the Bottom Half

The AFC Champions League Elite Tournament has reached its most thrilling stage, with the quarterfinal draw revealing a set of blockbuster matchups that will define the road to continental glory. On March 17, the draw ceremony determined the fates of the remaining eight teams, setting the stage for a dramatic series of single-leg knockout clashes in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

With Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr set to face J1 League powerhouse Yokohama F. Marinos, and Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale drawn against Qatari giants Al-Sadd, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s domestic powerhouses—Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, and Al-Ahli—are all poised for deep runs, further cementing their dominance in Asian football.

Let’s dive into the draw, the matchups, and the high-voltage narratives that will shape this year’s AFC Champions League quarterfinals.

The Final Eight: Who’s Still Standing?

The 2024–25 AFC Champions League quarterfinalists represent some of the strongest clubs in Asian football, featuring a mix of elite Saudi teams, East Asian powerhouses, and a surprise Thai contender.

• West Zone (Saudi Arabia & Qatar):

  • Al-Nassr (KSA) – Featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Sadio Mané, and Aymeric Laporte, this side is one of the tournament’s biggest favorites.

  • Al-Hilal (KSA) – The most decorated team in AFC history, boasting stars like Aleksandar Mitrović, Malcom, and Rúben Neves.

  • Al-Ahli (KSA) – Reinforced by Merih Demiral, Franck Kessié, and Riyad Mahrez, this Jeddah-based side will enjoy home advantage.

  • Al-Sadd (QAT) – One of Qatar’s most successful clubs, led by a mix of local talent and international stars.

• East Zone (Japan, South Korea, Thailand):

  • Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN) – J1 League leaders who dominated their group and eliminated Shanghai Port.

  • Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) – A technical and attacking powerhouse, looking to make history.

  • Gwangju FC (KOR) – The underdogs from South Korea, facing the ultimate test against Al-Hilal.

  • Buriram United (THA) – The Thai champions, facing a monumental challenge against Al-Ahli.

Quarterfinal Draw & Analysis

The tournament’s format sees West Asian teams pitted against each other in one bracket and East Asian teams clashing in another, ensuring that the final will be an epic showdown between the two regions.

? Quarterfinal Matchups

? Al-Nassr (KSA) vs. Yokohama F. Marinos (JPN)

? Key Storyline: Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Japan’s best!

This is arguably the most anticipated clash of the quarterfinals, as five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr against Yokohama F. Marinos, one of Japan’s strongest clubs.

• Al-Nassr’s firepower is undeniable. With Ronaldo, Mané, and Talisca in attack, they can overwhelm any defense.

• Yokohama F. Marinos have shown tactical discipline and resilience. They topped their group and dismantled Shanghai Port with ease.

• Defensive concerns: While Al-Nassr’s attack is lethal, their backline—despite Laporte’s presence—has shown vulnerabilities, something Yokohama could exploit.

? X-Factor: Will Yokohama’s structured style contain Ronaldo, or will CR7 rise to the occasion once again?

? Al-Hilal (KSA) vs. Gwangju FC (KOR)

? Key Storyline: The ultimate mismatch?

Al-Hilal, the tournament’s most successful club, faces Gwangju FC, one of the competition’s biggest underdogs.

• Al-Hilal boasts an insane squad: Mitrović, Malcom, and Neves bring world-class experience.

• Gwangju FC’s Cinderella story may hit a brick wall here, as they face a team stacked with international talent.

• Can Gwangju pull off the upset? It would take a perfect game and a defensive masterclass.

? X-Factor: If Gwangju can survive the first half, they might have a chance. But that’s a big IF.

? Al-Ahli (KSA) vs. Buriram United (THA)

? Key Storyline: Buriram’s miracle run vs. Saudi firepower.

• Al-Ahli will have home advantage and boast stars like Mahrez and Kessié.

• Buriram United are the weakest team left on paper, but they have nothing to lose.

• The Saudi club is expected to dominate, but can Buriram play spoiler?

? X-Factor: Can Buriram handle the pressure, or will Al-Ahli cruise?

? Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) vs. Al-Sadd (QAT)

? Key Storyline: East vs. West, technical mastery vs. Qatari resilience.

• Kawasaki Frontale play some of the best possession-based football in Asia.

• Al-Sadd is unpredictable but dangerous, with experience in high-stakes games.

• Avoiding the Saudi giants gives Kawasaki a golden chance.

? X-Factor: This could be the most entertaining game of the round. Kawasaki will dominate possession, but can they convert chances?

? Path to the Final: What Lies Ahead?

With the quarterfinals set to be played on April 25–27, followed by semifinals on April 29–30 and the final on May 3, the window for glory is narrowing.

• The West Zone bracket heavily favors Saudi clubs. Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr remain the strongest contenders, but Al-Ahli could be a dark horse.

• The East Zone is unpredictable. Japan’s two clubs, Yokohama and Kawasaki, have avoided an early showdown but will likely collide if both progress.

• A Ronaldo vs. Mitrović semifinal could be on the horizon, while an all-Japan semi remains a possibility in the East.

? Final Predictions: Who Lifts the Trophy?

At this stage, the tournament favorites remain Al-Hilal and Al-Nassr, given their squad depth and firepower. However, if Kawasaki or Yokohama can survive the East, they might have a shot at shocking the Saudi giants in the final.

If Ronaldo can carry Al-Nassr to the title, it would be one of the biggest achievements in his post-European career. Meanwhile, Al-Hilal looks like the most balanced team and remains the safest bet to reclaim their crown.

Final Thought: A Tournament on Fire

The AFC Champions League quarterfinals promise blockbuster drama, high-intensity clashes, and legendary performances. Whether it’s Ronaldo chasing another title, an underdog rewriting history, or a new powerhouse emerging, Asian football fans are in for a treat.

Mark your calendars—April 25–27 will define the journey to the 2025 AFC Champions League final!