Twenty-four clubs will compete in the league phase of the Asian Champions League Elite when it returns in September, with the participants split evenly into western and eastern leagues.
The Asian Football Confederation has postponed several Asian Champions League Elite and Two matches scheduled to be played in the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict in the region.
The escalating conflict involving the U.S. and Israel with Iran has led to widespread disruption in the world of sports, with events postponed, travel plans thrown into chaos, and athletes seeking asylum.
Al-Hilal powered into the semi-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite in Jeddah on Friday as Jorge Jesus's Saudi Pro League side demolished South Korea's Gwangju 7-0 to move closer to a record-extending fifth continental title.
Underdogs Kawasaki down Ronaldo's Al-Nassr to book Asian final berth
Al-Nassr ensured all three Saudi Pro League teams reached the Asian Champions League Elite semi-finals as Stefano Pioli's side handed Yokohama F Marinos a 4-1 defeat on Saturday.
Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal slipped to a shock 1-0 loss in the first leg of their Asian Champions League Elite last 16 clash with Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor in Tashkent on Tuesday after Brazilian Flamarion scored the only goal.
Kawasaki Frontale's Tatsuya Ito compared lining up beside Cristiano Ronaldo before their Asian Champions League Elite semi-final to being in "a video game", as the J-League outfit handed the Saudi club a 3-2 defeat to progress to the final.
Saudi Arabia's Al-Ahli beat Japan's Kawasaki Frontale 2-0 to win the Asian Champions League Elite title for the first time at a raucous King Abdullah Sports City Stadium on Saturday.
Al-Ahli secured a 3-1 win over 10-man Al-Hilal to win the battle of the Saudi Pro League sides in Jeddah on Tuesday, booking a place in Saturday's final of the Asian Champions League Elite to keep their dream of a first continental title alive.
Neymar was not too downcast after being forced to leave Monday's Asian Champions League Elite match due to injury with the Al-Hilal forward saying he felt the issue was nothing more than a strong cramp.
Saudi Pro League champions Al-Hilal as well as Al-Ahli and Al-Nassr confirmed their berths in the knockout rounds in West Asia late last year, and the big-spending trio have since been joined by Qatar's Al-Sadd and Al Wasl of the UAE.
Ivan Toney came off the bench to score twice and earn Al-Ahli a 2-1 win over Al-Ain on Monday that moves the Saudi side into the knockout rounds of the Asian Champions League Elite and leaves the defending champions in danger of missing out on the last 16.
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