This year's AFC Champions League semi-finals have a distinctly regional flavour. While the first semi-final will pit Korean league champions Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma against east Asian neighbours Urawa Reds of Japan, the second will feature two West Asian teams, Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates and Iranian contenders Sepahan. Even so, no matter who qualifies, the finale in November is sure to be a classic encounter between east and west Asia.

All-east Asian affair
Urawa Reds booked their semi-final berth on 27 September with a 2-0 second-leg victory in the quarter-final against defending champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. The victory, which came at the Jeonju World Cup Stadium in Korea, helped the Reds secure qualification 4-1 on aggregate. Should Japan's league and cup double winners eventually clinch the title, they will become the first ever host team to represent Asian league football at the FIFA Club World Cup, the 2007 edition of which will be held in Japan this December.

Despite having already dethroned the AFC Champions League holders, Urawa Reds will face a further test against Korean opposition when they meet Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma in the first of Wednesday's semi-finals. Chunma were impressive in their quarter-final second leg match on 26 September, grabbing a 2-0 away victory over last year's runners-up Al Karama. Not only did that win send the Koreans through 4-1 on aggregate, it also ended the Syrian team's unbeaten home record in the competition, which had stood for the last two seasons.

Already seven-time winners of the K.League, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma enjoyed their best ever AFC Champions League campaign during the 2004 edition, when they finished runners-up behind Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia. Despite securing a 3-1 away victory in the first leg of the Final, their title hopes were eventually dashed by a comprehensive 5-0 defeat in the return tie. Nevertheless, Chunma have so far been imperious at home in this year's competition, with four wins out of four, ten goals scored and only two conceded.

Buoyed by their convincing aggregate win over the reigning champions, Urawa Reds are far from overawed by the reputation of their illustrious Korean opponents. In fact, as they gear up for their semi-final test, the J.League champions are also protecting their own proud record, having so far conceded no goals away from home in this year's tournament. Nevertheless, the Reds' experienced coach Holger Osieck is in no mood for celebrations just yet. "It feels great to reach the semi-finals in our first appearance in the competition but we know that there is still a lot left to do," said the German-born coach.

Sepahan aim high
In next Wednesday's second semi-final at the Foolad Shahr Stadium in Esfahan, Iranian Hazfi Cup holders Sepahan will entertain Al Wahda of the United Arab Emirates. Although fellow UAE representatives Al Ain, winners of the inaugural AFC Champions League in 2003, disappointingly failed to qualify from the group stage, Al Wahda are still proudly flying the flag for the Emirates after edging out Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal in the quarter-finals.

Ismail Matar proved just how important he is to Al Wahda by scoring the goal which clinched a semi-final place for his side. The attacking midfielder, winner of the adidas Golden Ball at the FIFA World Youth Championship in 2003, bagged a precious away goal in the quarter-final second leg with Al Hilal, which ended in a 1-1 stalemate. The strike nevertheless proved enough to send Al Wahda into the last four courtesy of the away goals rule, the two teams having drawn the first leg 0-0. Sepahan had an equally arduous route into the semi-finals, drawing home and away with Japan's Kawasaki Frontale 0-0 before securing qualification with a 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory.

Sepahan are in relaxed mood as they approach a semi-final in which they have nothing to lose. Having already achieved his target of taking the Iranians into the last four, Sepahan's Croatian-born coach Luka Bonacic is looking forward to seeing if his team can go one better. "When we started in this competition we were thinking about reaching the semi-finals. So already this is a success for us. Now we have to see what we can do. In football, the ball is round... so anything can happen," said the Croatian.

Semi-final fixtures
First leg
October 3

Sepahan (IRN) vs Al Wahda (UAE)
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma（KOR）vs Urawa Reds (JPN)

Second leg
October 24
Al Wahda (UAE) vs Sepahan (IRN)
Urawa Reds (JPN) vs Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (KOR)