Al Ahli, the UAE’s last remaining team in the Asian Champions League, have drawn tournament debutants Naft Tehran from Iran in the quarter-finals.
– #Quiz360: WIN a gym membership at FitRepublik
– ACL: Khalil stars as Al Ahli progress to quarter-finals
The very idea of the Red Knight's first ACL quarter-final would have been laughed at in February, when they were languishing in the bottom half of the Arabian Gulf League and fans were calling for coach Cosmin Olaroiu's head.
Since then the team from Dubai's run of form has been quite remarkable. They lost an agonising President's Cup final on penalties and caused a significant upset against much-fancied UAE neighbours Al Ain in the ACL round-of-16.
That win sparked wild celebrations at the Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium and prompted a well-deserved contract extension for Olariou.
The Romanian and his team will travel to the Iran for the first leg on August 26, before returning to Dubai for the return fixture on September 16.
In the East Asia zone, Kashiwa Reysol from Japan have been drawn against former champions Guangzhou Evergrande, while last season's beaten finalists Al Hilal from Saudi Arabia host Qatari side Lekhwiya in the West Asia zone.
Elsewhere, South Korean side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will face Japan’s Gamba Osaka.