Can the Korean giants make home advantage tell against the former Saudi champions?
Can the Korean giants make home advantage tell against the former Saudi champions?
Team: Ulsan Hyundai
Overview: Korean giants Ulsan Hyundai remain undefeated, but they haven-t exactly been convincing the whole way through the AFC Champions League, eeking out a number of close results to see them through to the final eight.
While this means they haven-t exactly been the most impressive side to advance this far, they are battle-hardened and know what it takes to get their way through a tight game, and with Korea Republic international Lee Keun-ho in the side they are always a threat in attack.
The speedster is more than capable of scoring a goal himself or creating one for his teammates and should be looked upon as a threat in attack.
Key stat: Despite being undefeated throughout the competition, Ulsan have been unable to put teams away, their biggest winning margin has been one goal and they have had opportunities to bury sides.
Big issue: How will Ulsan-s somewhat leaky defence hold up against the might of Al Hilal? Of all the teams left in the AFC Champions League, Ulsan have conceded the most goals (9), with Al Hilal scoring the most (17).
Key Player: It seems like Lee Keun-Ho has been turning down the offers of bigger, European clubs to stay in Asia and the 26-year-old has benefitted from staying, becoming a star at home.
It may have cost him international fame, but that doesn-t mean he should be taken lightly.
The prolific striker has scored eight times, thus far in the K-League and though he has only scored once this ACL season, he can increase that as the games get tougher.
The story so far:
Group stage – def Beijing Guoan 2-1, drew 2-2 v FC Tokyo, drew 1-1 v Brisbane Roar, def Brisbane Roar 2-1, def Beijing Guoan 2-1, def FC Tokyo 1-0.
Round of 16 – def Kashiwa Reysol 3-2
Team: Al Hilal
Overview: Al Hilal ahve been a force in Asia throughout their history, but never have they managed to capture the AFC Champions League and initially it didn-t look like the current season would give them that opportunity either.
The 2011Saudi champions only managed to draw their first three matches in the group stage before storming home to top Group D and then showed what they are truly capable of in the round of 16, burying the hopes of Baniyas of the UAE 7-1 in the most lop-sided result of the 2012 version of the competition.
Having finished a disappointing third in the 2012 Saudi season behind Al Shabab and Al Ahli, Al Hilal will be looking to show they are on the improve and still the kings of football in Saudi Arabia.
Key player: Korean international Yoo Byung Soo is only 24 but he knows how to find the net and in just a few short years has impressed throughout Asia, whether it be for Al Hilal or his former club Incheon United.
A proven goalscorer he has bagged plenty of goals since joining Al Hilal, grabbing six during the home and away season, but it was his dominant performance against Beniyas that saw him thrust back into the limelight, his four goals in 38 minutes an amazing performance on Asia-s biggest stage.
If he continues to find that form he will be a huge threat in the remaining knockout stages.
Key stat: With 17 goals for, throughout the competition Al Hilal have had more goalscoring success than any other side left in the competition. Their nearest rivals on that front are Al ittihad who have scored 16 times.
Big issue: What will a change of manager do to their style throughout Asia? Al Hilal have recently signed Former Paris Saint-Germaine coach Antoine Kombouare to a one-year deal and he would be looking to make some changes, but those changes could hurt the team in the short term.
The story so far:
Group stage – drew with Piroozi Athletic 1-1, drew with Al Gharafa 3-3, drew with Al Shabab-al Arabi 1-1, def Al Shabab-al Arabi 2-1, def Piroozi 1-0, def Al Gharafa 2-1
Round of 16 – def Baniyas 7-1
