ACL draw: Sepahan face Al Ahli

GOAL – KUALA LUMPUR, Marcello Lippi’s big spenders have the pick of the matches away to two-time champions Al Ittihad, while Sepahan play host to Al Ahli and Al Hilal go to Ulsan Hyundai.

Big spending Chinese outfit Guangzhou Evergrande will face two-time Asian champions Al Ittihad in the pick of the games after the draw for the 2012 AFC Champions League quarterfinals was decided in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

Marcello Lippi’s side will make the trip to Saudi Arabia for the first leg on September 19, before hosting the return leg in early October.

Al Ittihad were one of three Saudi Arabian clubs in the draw, with Al Ahli drawn to face Iranian champions Sepahan, while Al Hilal meet Ulsan Hyundai.

Australian outfit Adelaide United will renew their rivalry with Uzbek champions Bunyodkor, who they met in the 2008 semifinals as well as the 2012 group stage.

The winners of the Al Ittihad-Guangzhou and Sepahan-Al Ahli clashes will meet in the semis, while the victors of the Adelaide-Bunyodkor and Ulsan-Al Hilal will meet in the final four, with the side to progress from that half of the draw to host the final on November 9 or 10.

Quarter-final draw:
Al Ittihad v Guangzhou Evergrande
Sepahan v Al Ahli
Adelaide United v Bunyodkor
Ulsan Hyundai v Al Hilal