Asian Champions Al Hilal to Face Foolad as Al Shabab Meet Al Duhail

Al Hilal's Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo (C-R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League round of 16 match between Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal and UAE's Shabab Al Ahli at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on February 20, 2023. (AFP)
Al Hilal's Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo (C-R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League round of 16 match between Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal and UAE's Shabab Al Ahli at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on February 20, 2023. (AFP)
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Asian Champions Al Hilal to Face Foolad as Al Shabab Meet Al Duhail

Al Hilal's Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo (C-R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League round of 16 match between Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal and UAE's Shabab Al Ahli at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on February 20, 2023. (AFP)
Al Hilal's Nigerian forward Odion Ighalo (C-R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the AFC Champions League round of 16 match between Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal and UAE's Shabab Al Ahli at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on February 20, 2023. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal will continue the defense of their Asian Champions League title against Foolad from Iran on Thursday while compatriots Al Shabab take on Al Duhail from Qatar.

Riyadh-based Al Hilal, aiming to win the title for a record fifth time, were drawn to take on the team from Khuzestan in the quarterfinals after handing Shabab Al Ahli of the United Arab Emirates a 3-1 defeat in the round of 16 on Monday.

Foolad will be appearing in the last eight of the competition for the first time, having defeated another Saudi Arabian side, Al Faisaly, on Sunday.

Both quarterfinals will be played in Doha.

The draw sets up the prospect of an all-Saudi semi-final on Sunday, with the winner going on to face Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds in the final over two legs on April 29 and May 6.

Al Shabab advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Nasaf Qarshi of Uzbekistan while Al Duhail eliminated compatriots Al Rayyan.

Urawa booked their place in the tournament's decider in August and the first leg of the final will be hosted by the winners of Sunday's semi-final, with the return played at Saitama Stadium in Japan seven days later.



Arsenal Closes the Gap on Liverpool after 1-0 Win against Chelsea in Premier League

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
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Arsenal Closes the Gap on Liverpool after 1-0 Win against Chelsea in Premier League

Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Chelsea - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - March 16, 2025 Arsenal's Mikel Merino scores their first goal past Chelsea's Robert Sanchez. (Reuters)

Mikel Merino led Arsenal to a 1-0 win against Chelsea in the Premier League on Sunday.

Merino's first-half header settled the London derby at the Emirates Stadium and saw second-placed Arsenal move within 12 points of leader Liverpool.

In another all-London clash, Fulham beat Tottenham 2-0.

Arsenal's title hopes have faded in recent weeks, but it closed the gap on Liverpool, which was playing Newcastle in the English League Cup final later in the day.

Merino rose in the 20th minute to flick Martin Odegaard's near post corner beyond Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. It was enough to secure a first league win for Mikel Arteta's team since February 15.

Defeat for fourth-placed Chelsea means it missed the chance to extend its one-point lead over Manchester City in fifth and boost its chance of qualifying for the Champions League next season.

Arsenal, on 58 points, is 10 clear of four time defending champion City.

Spurs blow

Another setback for Tottenham is likely to increase the pressure on coach Ange Postecoglou heading into the international break.

Spurs, in 14th, have only won one of their last five in all competitions and this was a 15th league defeat of the season.

Rodrigo Muniz gave Fulham the lead in the 78th at Craven Cottage and Ryan Sessegnon doubled the home team's lead 10 minutes later.

Fulham is eighth and four points behind Chelsea in the race for a Champions League place.