Kuala Lumpur: The 2017 AFC Champions League quarter-finals are just a few days away, so join the-AFC.com as we look at the Eight Facts and Figures you should know about the teams featured in the last eight of the continental club competition.
King of the continent
Leading the way in both the scoring and assists charts, with seven and six respectively, 2016 AFC Player of the Year Omar Abdulrahman has been directly involved in 13 of Al Ain’s 20 goals ahead of the Emiratis’ record-equaling seventh quarter-final appearance.
Familiar territory
Al Ain will take to the field for the 96th time in the competition, an incredible feat which is bettered only by opponents Al Hilal. Set to make their record-breaking 105th appearance, the Riyadh-based club are also participating in their seventh successive knockout stage but seeking a first AFC Champions League title.
Two-year cycle to continue?
Guangzhou Evergrande’s record on the continent is stunning. Since debuting in 2012, the Chinese giants have now reached five quarter-finals and hoisted the title once every two years, in 2013 and 2015. Ominous for Shanghai SIPG?
Hulk offers sizable problem
Shanghai SIPG are one of only two teams with 100 percent home records, having won four from four, while their overall record reads: won six, lost two. Hulk scored in each of the six victories and was absent for the pair of losses meaning the big frontman boasts perfect statistics. Ominous for Guangzhou?
Saving grace
Number of saves made from goalkeepers still in the AFC Champions League.
Al Ahli ‘keeper Yasser Al Mosailem’s 41 saves is at least 14 more than any of his compatriots while a save ratio just shy of 82 percent is the tournament’s second best among the remaining teams. Nine goals conceded proves he is not unbeatable, but without him Al Ahli would not be among the eight teams vying for continental glory.
Battle hardened
Quarter-final debutants Persepolis lead the way in duels won (514), recoveries (621) and interceptions (145), while also shutting the opposition out in half of their games, all of which means Al Ahli should prepare for stubborn Iranian opposition.
Beware of the Silva Diamond
The competition’s top scorers Urawa Red Diamonds will look to add to their 21-goal haul when they face a Kawasaki Frontale side boasting the meanest defence. Five conceded equals the number scored by Urawa’s Rafael Silva, the super-sub who has five goals from just eight attempts and finds the back once every 40 minutes.
Ball hogs
But Urawa will first have to get the ball from Kawasaki, whose trio of Eduardo Neto (551), Kengo Nakamura (524) and Shintaro Kurumaya (466) fill the top three positions when it comes to successful passes. Kawasake have also had the ball longer than any other side with 65 percent of possession over their eight matches.
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com