JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Iran’s national team Tractor was eliminated from the Asian Champions League Elite after losing 3-0 to Shabab Al Ahly of the United Arab Emirates in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
Tractor had not been played since US and Israel was released military attack on iran In late February.
Goals from Youri Cesar, Iranian international Saeed Ezatollah and Brazilian forward Mateusao sealed victory for the Dubai club, who will face Thailand’s Buriram United in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Also on Tuesday, Fabinho’s 120th-minute penalty gave Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad a 1-0 victory over UAE’s Al Wahda and a place in the last eight against Japan’s Machida Zelvia.
All matches in the knockout stage will be played in Jeddah. The final is scheduled for April 25th.
The Asian Football Confederation earlier on Tuesday recommended expanding the number of participating clubs from 24 to 32 for the 2026-27 tournament. The competition remains evenly split, with 16 teams each in the East and West divisions.
Unlike the current system where the top eight in each group advance to the knockout stage, only the top six will be guaranteed a spot in the round of 16.
“In a significant departure from previous formats, clubs finishing seventh to 10th will not be eliminated and will advance to the newly created knockout stage play-offs,” AFC said in a statement.
The decision still needs to be approved by the AFC Executive Committee.
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