AFC Champions League 2023/24: The East Zone Knockout Stage Preview
The AFC Champions League is the premier club competition in Asia, featuring the best teams from different regions and zones. The 2023/24 edition of the tournament has reached its knockout stage, where 16 teams will compete for the ultimate glory. Here are some of the key facts, highlights, and predictions for the East Zone knockout stage matches.
The AFC Champions League is an annual continental club football competition organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It is the top-tier competition of the AFC, and the winner qualifies for the FIFA Club World Cup. The AFC Champions League was founded in 2002, and has been held every year since then. The current champions are Ulsan Hyundai FC of Korea Republic, who won the AFC Champions League 2022/23. The AFC Champions League 2023/24 is the 22nd edition of the competition, and features 48 teams from 24 associations.
Knockout Stage Draw
The knockout stage draw was conducted on December 28, 2023, at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The draw divided the 16 teams into two zones: West Zone and East Zone. The knockout stage matches will be single-leg ties, with the winners advancing to the next round. The knockout stage will start on January 18, 2024, and end on March 5, 2024, with the final match between the West Zone champions and the East Zone champions.
In this article, we will focus on the East Zone knockout stage, which consists of eight teams: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors Fc, Kawasaki Frontale FC, Ulsan Hyundai FC, Yokohama Marinos FC, Shandong Taishan, Ventforet Kofu FC, FC Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic and Bangkok United FC (Thailand). Here are the pairings for the East Zone knockout stage:
Round of 16
The Round of 16 matches will be played on January 18 and 19, 2024. The winners of the Round of 16 matches will advance to the quarter-finals, which will be played on February 20 and 21, 2024. The pairings for the Round of 16 matches are as follows:
Round of 16 Preview
FC Pohang Steelers
FC Pohang Steelers are the third-placed team of Korea Republic, having finished third in the K League 1 in 2023. The Korean side have a stingy defense, having conceded only two goals in the group stage. They also have a resilient spirit, having won three of their six matches in the group stage by a one-goal margin. FC Pohang Steelers have a young and energetic squad, with players like Song Min-kyu, Manuel Palacios, and Kang Sang-woo, who have been in fine form in the tournament. FC Pohang Steelers will be eager to reach the quarter-finals, but they will face a tough challenge from Cerezo Osaka, who have a balanced and cohesive team.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors are the champions of Korea Republic, having won the K League 1 in 2023. The Korean side have a formidable defense, having conceded only one goal in the group stage. They also have a prolific offense, having scored 15 goals in the group stage. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors have a talented squad, with players like Kim Bo-kyung, Gustavo, and Stanislav Iljutcenko, who have been impressive in the tournament. Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will be hopeful of reaching the quarter-finals, but they will face a stern test from Vissel Kobe, who have a potent attack and a star-studded squad.
Ulsan Hyundai FC
Ulsan Hyundai FC are the defending champions of the AFC Champions League, having won the title in 2022/23. The Korean side have a balanced team, with a strong defense, a creative midfield, and a clinical attack. They also have a winning mentality, having extended their AFC Champions League win record to 15 matches. Ulsan Hyundai FC have a experienced and skillful squad, with players like Yoon Bit-garam, Kim In-sung, and Lukas Hinterseer, who have been influential in the tournament. Ulsan Hyundai FC will be aiming to defend their crown, but they will need to overcome Macarthur FC, who have a competitive edge and a quality squad.
Conclusion
The AFC Champions League 2023/24 is the premier club competition in Asia, featuring the best teams from different regions and zones. The 2023/24 edition of the tournament has reached its knockout stage, where 16 teams will compete for the ultimate glory. The knockout stage matches will be single-leg ties, with the winners advancing to the next round. The knockout stage will start on January 18, 2024, and end on March 5, 2024, with the final match between the West Zone champions and the East Zone champions.
In this article, we have reviewed the East Zone knockout stage draw and matches, and previewed the key factors, strengths, and weaknesses of each team. We have also made some predictions for the upcoming matches. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative, and that you have learned something new and useful. Thank you for reading, and enjoy the AFC Champions League 2023/24!
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the AFC Champions League 2023/24 and the East Zone knockout stage:
Who are the favorites to win the AFC Champions League 2023/24?
There is no clear favorite to win the AFC Champions League 2023/24, as the knockout stage is unpredictable and competitive. However, some of the teams that have a higher chance of winning the tournament are Ulsan Hyundai FC of Korea Republic and Kawasaki Frontale FC of Japan, as they have shown their quality and consistency in the group stage, and have more experience and depth in their squad.
Who are the dark horses to win the AFC Champions League 2023/24?
Some of the teams that have a lower chance of winning the tournament, but can still surprise and upset the favorites are Bangkok United FC of Thailand, and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Korea Republic, as they have shown their potential and resilience in the group stage, and have a balanced and cohesive team.
Who are the top scorers of the AFC Champions League 2023/24?
The top scorers of the AFC Champions League 2023/24 are:
- Talisca (Saudi Arabia Al Nassr) - 6 goals
- Cryzan (China Shandong Taishan) - 6 goals
Who are the best players of the AFC Champions League 2023/24?
Some of the best players of the AFC Champions League 2023/24 are:
- Yoon Bit-garam (Ulsan Hyundai FC) - The Korean midfielder has been the playmaker and the engine of Ulsan Hyundai FC, with four goals and four assists in the group stage. He has also shown his passing, dribbling, and shooting, and has created many chances for his teammates.
- Song Min-kyu (FC Pohang Steelers) - The Korean forward has been the goal machine and the leader of FC Pohang Steelers, with five goals and one assist in the group stage. He has also shown his speed, strength, and finishing, and has scored some spectacular and crucial goals for FC Pohang Steelers.
- Lukas Hinterseer (Ulsan Hyundai FC) - The Austrian forward has been the super sub and the savior of Ulsan Hyundai FC, with five goals and one assist in the group stage. He has also shown his positioning, movement, and finishing, and has scored some important and late goals for Ulsan Hyundai FC.
How can I support my favorite team in the AFC Champions League 2023/24?
You can support your favorite team in the AFC Champions League 2023/24 by watching their matches live on various channels and platforms, such as YouTube, Facebook, and the AFC website. You can also support your favorite team by wearing their jersey, scarf, or hat, and by cheering for them on social media, such as Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. You can also support your favorite team by sending them messages of encouragement, appreciation, and gratitude, and by wishing them good luck and success.