JEDDAH, March 17 (Alliance News): Cristiano Ronaldo’s Saudi club Al Nassr will take on last season’s runners-up, Yokohama F-Marinos of Japan, in the quarter-finals of the newly rebranded Asian Champions League Elite.
The 40-year-old Portuguese star, a five-time UEFA Champions League winner, will lead Al Nassr’s charge as they aim for their maiden Asian club title. Their opponents, Yokohama F-Marinos, are managed by Steve Holland, former assistant coach to Gareth Southgate with the England national team.
The tournament’s quarter-finals, semi-finals, and final will be played as single-leg matches in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The winner of Al Nassr vs. Yokohama will face either Kawasaki Frontale of Japan or Al Sadd of Qatar in the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Al Hilal, a four-time Asian champion, will clash with South Korea’s Gwangju FC in another quarter-final. The winner will go on to meet Thailand’s Buriram United or Saudi club Al Ahli in the semi-finals.
All four quarter-finals will take place between April 25 and 27, followed by the semi-finals on April 29 and 30, and the final on May 3.
