AFC Champions League Draw Ushers in East-West Showdowns as Zonal Restrictions Lifted

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Since 2013, this has happened for the first time: In Asia’s top club tournament, Eastern and Western teams will not be segregated until the final match.

Amidst the Asian Football Confederation restructuring its competitions this season, the recently-added Finals of the AFC Champions League Elite -- where the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals will all take place in one centralized location over an intense ten-day period -- has also resulted in the elimination of regional grouping following the round of 16.

As it happened on Monday afternoon at the AFC's offices in Kuala Lumpur, the draw for the final eight stages certainly provided an array of thrilling matches between Eastern and Western teams.

Given their status as the leading top seeds for the East and West regions, Saudi Pro League giants Al Hilal and J1 League outfit Yokohama F. Marinos were housed in distinct sections of the draw -- guaranteeing they might face each other in the finale.

Al Hilal was the initial team selected and quickly ended up facing the promising newcomers making their debut. Gwangju FC , who have emerged as the tournament’s unexpected standout performers, while Marinos — the previous season’s runners-up — ultimately had their name inserted alongside Cristiano Ronaldo 's Al Nassr .

Saudi Arabia's expected dominance of the West region ensured another team from their country was among the final eight as well.

Al Ahli , which besides Al Hilal is the sole squad undefeated this season and boasts an abundance of star players including Riyad Mahrez , Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney , will meet Thai League 1 champions Buriram United .

Meanwhile, Japan's other contenders Kawasaki Frontale will take on Al Sadd of Qatar.

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