Al Hilal, the record four-time winners of the AFC Champions League, are on a relentless pursuit of a fifth continental crown in the ongoing 2023-24 campaign. Their recent 2-0 victory over Al Ittihad secured a convincing 4-0 aggregate win, propelling them into the semi-finals. This victory was particularly impressive considering the quality of Al Ittihad's lineup, featuring renowned players like Fabinho and N'Golo Kanté.
Al Hilal's dominance extends beyond this match, as they recently set a new world record of 28 consecutive wins in all competitions. Notably, they have achieved much of this success without star signing Neymar, who has been sidelined since November due to a knee injury.
Leading the charge in Neymar's absence is Aleksandar Mitrovic, who has netted 29 goals in 28 games across league and continental competitions. Key players such as Kalidou Koulibaly, Rúben Neves, and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic have also played pivotal roles in Al Hilal's remarkable run.
Al Nassr, considered a strong contender, suffered a surprising exit in the quarterfinals, falling to Al Ain on penalties. Al Ain, champions in 2003, will face Al Hilal in the semis, but the latter is widely viewed as the favorite to advance to the final.
In the East Asia Zone, Ulsan Hyundai booked their spot in the last four by defeating Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors 2-1 on aggregate. They will meet Yokohama F. Marinos, who overcame Shandong Taishan 3-1 on aggregate, with Anderson Lopes playing a crucial role.
Despite their domestic success, Marinos are yet to clinch continental glory, adding extra motivation to their campaign. The East Asia Zone has dominated recent editions of the AFC Champions League, with nine of the past 11 champions hailing from that region.
However, Al Hilal's formidable form and the rise of the Saudi Pro League suggest that the West Asia Zone could be poised for a resurgence. With Al Hilal looking unstoppable in their pursuit of glory, they are primed to make a strong statement this season and potentially secure another title for the West Asia Zone.
