Some 40 teams entered the group stage when it kicked off back in September, with eight former champions and numerous world-renowned stars from the Saudi Pro League among the initial cast.
That number has now been whittled down to 16 as eight sides from East Asia and eight from West Asia battle it out to be crowned kings of Asia. Ahead of the first legs of the Round of 16, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on the teams.
The long-term injury to Neymar doesn’t appear to have dented Al Hilal’s bid for another Asian title as they eased to top spot in Group D in their quest to add to the recent AFC Champions League titles they won in 2019 and 2021.
A tricky assignment against Iranian side Sepahan awaits, with the 2007 runners-up scoring 16 goals in five group stage games, including a remarkable 9-0 victory over Uzbekistan’s AGMK, en route to their return to the Round of 16 for the first time since 2012.
The last first-leg match of the Round of 16 will be staged at the Naghsh-e Jahan Stadium in Isfahan on February 15, where Sepahan will feature in their fourth Knockout Stage tie and first since 2012.