ACL Knockout Stages Guide (East)

Following on from our Guide to the Group Stages, where three of the four K League teams progressed, we document Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Suwon Bluewings, and Ulsan Hyundai's fortunes in the knockout stages of the 2018 AFC Champions League with a comprehensive guide to the latter stages of Asia's elite club competition. 
(Image via K League)

 Group Stage Review

Aside from an away defeat to Tianjin Quanjin, Jeonbuk Hyundai had motored their way into the knockout stages with 15 points, scoring 22 goals and conceding just nine in the process. Suwon Bluewings, meanwhile, made hard work of their group by saving all three of their victories for their visits to Sydney, Shanghai and Kashima. Seo Jungwon's men picked up just a point from their three home fixtures before eventually topping the group with an intense and dramatic victory over Kashima Antlers in Japan on Matchday Six. Free-scoring Ulsan Hyundai finished as runners up of their group to set up a tie with K League rivals Suwon, but Jeju United crashed out after just one win during what was a disappointing campaign for the islanders.

Our columnists review the group stages in detail: here

How It Works

The AFC Champions League is split into eight groups, four from the west of Asia and four from the east. Eight teams, two from each group, advance to the Round of 16 in both the East and the West. Those teams will compete within their respective regions up until the semi-final stage.

Whereas the Round of 16 fixtures are determined by the group stages, a draw will take place without any seeding or country protection to determine the Quarter Finals. Then, the two winners of the Quarter Finals from each region will play each other in the Semi Finals. After which, the winner of Semi Final West will play the Winner of Semi Final East in a two-legged final.

Fixtures

Round of 16 

1st Leg 

Tuesday 8th May 2018 

Tianjin Quanjin (CHN) 0-0 Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) 20:30

Buriram United (THA) 3-2 Jeonbuk Hyundai (KOR) 20:00 Preview: here
Edgar Silva 6', 69'               Lopes 50'
Diogo 60'                            Son Junho 90+1'



Wednesday 9th May 2018

Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) 1-0 Suwon Bluewings (KOR) 20:00 Preview: here
Kim Insung 67'

Kashima Antlers (JPN) 3-1 Shanghai SIPG (CHN) 19:00
Suzuki Yuma 43'                  Elkeson 77'
Nishi Daigo 49'
Yu Hai (OG) 75'

2nd Leg 

Tuesday 15th May 2018

Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN) 2-2 Tianjin Quanjin (CHN) 21:00 (Tianjian win on away goals)
Goulart 17', 48'                                 Pato 19'
                                                          Wang Jie 52'
Tiajin Quanjin win on away goals.

Jeonbuk Hyundai (KOR) 2-0 Buriram United (THA) 19:00 Preview: here
Lopes 18'
Lee Jaesung II 84'

Jeonbuk Hyundai win 4-3 on aggregate.

Wednesday 16th May 2018

Suwon Bluewings (KOR) 3-0 Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) 20:00 Preview: here
Kim Gunhee 26', 31'
Waguininho 90+1'

Suwon Bluewings win 3-1 on aggregate

Shanghai SIPG (CHN) 2-1 Kashima Antlers (JPN) 21:00
Hulk 7', 81' (pen)                Shoma Doi 42'

Kashima Antlers win 4-3 on aggregate

Please note times are in Korea Standard Time (GMT+8)

Quarter Finals 

1st Leg

Tuesday 28th August 2018

Kashima Antlers (JPN) Vs Tianjin Quanjin (CHN)

Wednesday 29th August 2018

Jeonbuk Hyundai (KOR) Vs Suwon Bluewings (KOR)

2nd Leg

Tuesday 17th/ Wednesday 18th September
Tianjin Quanjin (CHN) Vs Kashima Antlers (JPN)

Suwon Bluewings (KOR) Vs Jeonbuk Hyundai (KOR)

Semi Finals 

1st Leg 2nd/3rd October

2nd Leg 23rd/24th October

Final 

1st Leg 3rd November
2nd Leg 10th November