After an exciting group stage which had it all, Wednesday’s knockout stage draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur identified the path for the teams who are aiming to be the inaugural champions to plot their charge.
The-AFC.com takes a look at what can be expected in the single leg last eight ties, which will be played on March 22 and 23.
Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC (KOR) v Bam Khatoon FC (IRN)
Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC will be aiming to make home ground advantage count against Bam Khatoon FC.
That aside, the tie promises to be a thrilling affair with both teams highly experienced.
Korea Republic’s Red Angels topped Group A with seven points while Bam Khatoon finished as the Group B runners-up on four points.
Both sides will definitely strengthen their respective squads ahead of the quarter-finals and will be aiming to go all the way.
Tereza Engesha starred for Red Angels in the group stage, netting five of their seven goals while team effort took Bam Khatoon through, with their four goals coming through contributions from three different players.
Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC (VIE) v Abu Dhabi Country Club (UAE)
This will be a meeting between two sides who finished second in their respective groups.
Abu Dhabi Country Club were the Group A runners-up with five points, two behind Hyundai Steel Red Angels.
The UAE side, however, showed their quality in the 2-1 win over Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC of China PR and will feel they have a strong chance of advancing to the semi-finals.
Ho Chi Minh City will be equally confident after finishing second in Group C behind Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies of Japan.
The Vietnamese side held their own against Urawa, restricting the free-scoring Japanese team to just a 2-0 win in their encounter and the experienced gained will be put to good use against Abu Dhabi.
Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies (JPN) v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC (CHN)
Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies are the overwhelming favourites to add the AFC Women’s Champions League title to the AFC Women’s Club Championship™ 2023 trophy, with the Japanese side showing phenomenal form in the group stage.
The Japanese side topped Group C with three wins, scoring 21 goals and conceding none in the process.
Miki Ito and Yuzuho Shiokoshi netted five and four goals respectively during the group stage but what made Urawa a really fearsome force was their multiple sources for goals.
In comparison, Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC advanced from Group A as one of the two best third-placed teams despite having home ground advantage.
The China PR side will, however, not let that stop them from trying to upstage Urawa.
Melbourne City FC (AUS) v Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team (TPE)
Melbourne City FC will be the favourites after a peerless Group A campaign which saw them scoring nine and conceding just one in their three victories.
Taichung Blue Whale Women’s Football Team endured a more difficult journey, advancing from Group C as one of the best two third-placed teams.
The Chinese Taipei side only garnered three points but with the quarter-final being a single leg affair, they will be determined to upset their Australian opponents.
Barring changes, Melbourne City will be powered by Mariana Speckmaier and Lourdes Bosch, with the duo each scoring three times in the group stage.
