Soccer-Asian champions Al-Ahli face prospect of JDT quarterfinal clash


Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Ahli v Al Nassr - King Abdullah Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia - January 2, 2026 Al Ahli fans are seen in the stands during the match REUTERS/Stringer

March 25 (Reuters) - Defending ⁠champions Al-Ahli will take on Malaysia's Johor ⁠Darul Ta'zim in next month's quarterfinals ‌of the Asian Champions League Elite in Jeddah should the Saudi Pro League side defeat Qatar's Al-Duhail in their ​rearranged single-leg last 16 clash.

The ⁠Saudi city will host ⁠the centralised competition despite the ongoing conflict in ⁠the ‌Middle East, which has already forced the four Round of 16 fixtures ⁠for clubs in west Asia to be ​postponed from ‌early March until April 13 and 14.

Four-time ⁠winners Al-Hilal ​or Qatar's Al-Sadd will take on Japanese outfit Vissel Kobe, while Thai champions Buriram United will ⁠face either Tractor FC from ​Iran or Shabab Al-Ahli of the United Arab Emirates.

Machida Zelvia, also from Japan, will play the ⁠winner of the last 16 clash between two-time champions Al-Ittihad from Saudi Arabia and the UAE's Al-Wahda.

The quarterfinals are due to be played ​from April 16 to 18 ⁠with the semifinals on April 20 and ​21. The final will be ‌held at the King Abdullah ​Sports City Stadium on April 25.

(Reporting by Michael Church, Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus)

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