AFC Champions League: Quarter-finals first leg [PREVIEW]

AFC – KUALA LUMPUR, The 2018 AFC Champions League returns to action in the coming week with the eight remaining teams vying for glory in Asia’s biggest club competition ahead of the first legs of the quarter-finals.

Four former continental champions are still in the mix, alongside a side with a 100 percent record, a tournament debutant, a 2017 semi-finalist and a Japanese giant as the competition promises to serve up yet more thrilling action over the second half of the year.

Esteghlal v Al Sadd
Islamic Republic of Iran heavyweights Esteghlal are two-time Asian champions but will be appearing in the AFC Champions League last eight for only the second time when they welcome 2011 winners Al Sadd to Tehran in the first quarter-final on Monday.

Esteghlal remain unbeaten in the 2018 competition, winning a strong Group D ahead of Al Ain, Al Hilal and Al Rayyan, before overcoming domestic rivals Zobahan in the Round of 16, yet go into the last eight with a new-look side after a number of big-name departures and arrivals in the Iranian Pro League close season.

Al Sadd were the last side from the West to lift the coveted trophy and boast within their ranks someone who knows all about continental glory in four-time UEFA Champions League winner Xavi. The Doha side finished runners-up to Esteghlal’s City rivals Persepolis in the group stage before ousting Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli in the last 16.

Esteghlal (IRN) v Al Sadd (QAT)
Venue: Azadi Stadium, Tehran
Kick-off: August 27, 20:30 UTC+4:30

Al Duhail v Persepolis
After eight wins from eight on the continent, Al Duhail will equal 2012 winners Ulsan Hyundai’s nine straight victories if they overcome Iran’s Persepolis in the first leg of their last eight encounter in Doha on Tuesday.

The Qatari team swept everyone aside in Group B to finish with a perfect 18 points, then stormed to an 8-3 aggregate victory over United Arab Emirates giants Al Ain in the Round of 16 in proof that they are major contenders for the continent’s biggest club prize.

Persepolis achieved a best ever semi-final appearance last year and have proved just as strong this time round, winning Group C ahead of Al Duhail’s domestic rivals Al Sadd before a dramatic late victory over the UAE’s Al Jazira in the last 16 booked a second successive quarter-final berth.

Al Duhail (QAT) v Persepolis (IRN)
Venue: Khalifa International Stadium, Doha
Kick-off: August 28, 18:30 UTC+3