With both sides boasting multiple local and international stars, the-AFC.com shines the spotlight on three stars from each side that could make the difference in their respective teams’ pursuit of a spot in the final.

Kouame Kouadio – Al Ain

The only outfield player to have played every minute of the AFC Champions League 2023-24 for Al Ain, the Kouadio has been a revelation for the Emirati side at the heart of their defence. He has won more aerial duels (19), completed more headed clearances (22) and made more interceptions (21) than any of his teammates.

The 23-year-old’s contribution has not been limited to the defensive side of the game; his physique (1.88m) and constant presence in opposition boxes for set-pieces allowed him to chip in with two goals, against Ahal and Al Fayha in the group stage.

Saud Abdulhamid – Al Hilal

Al Hilal may have acquired a host of expensive signings last summer, but it is one of their local Saudi talents who has been their most consistent performer on both the domestic and the AFC Champions League front. Saud Abdulhamid played more minutes in the continental competition than any other Al Hilal player (816), dominating both in defence and attack down the right hand side.

The right-back has been exceptional going forward for Jorge Jesus’ side. He successfully delivered more crosses than any other Al Hilal player (9) and sits joint-top for chances created (14), out of which four resulted in assists, second only to Mohamed Al Burayk (6).

Kaku – Al Ain

No Al Ain player has created more goals than Alejandro Romero, more popularly known as Kaku. The Paraguayan playmaker has four assists to his name. His eye for the decisive pass and ability to combine well with his attacking partners Soufiane Rahimi and Kodjo Laba have enabled him to establish himself as the key creative outlet for his side.

The 29-year-old, who previously represented Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun and MLS side New York Red Bulls, ranks joint-third for chances created in the AFC Champions League 2023-24 with 20, just two behind the current edition’s most creative player, Ramin Rezaeian.

Malcom – Al Hilal

In the absence of Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, Al Hilal’s attacking burden will be more dependent than ever on the mercurial Malcom. The former Barcelona winger has been in red hot form for the club all season, scoring 13 goals and assisting five in the Saudi Pro League. It was his double against rivals Al Ittihad on Thursday that secured the club’s first title of the season, the Saudi Super Cup.

Capable of operating down either flank or centrally, Malcom has developed a telepathic understanding with Salem Al Dawsari, and his form has translated into the AFC Champions League 2023-24 with three goals and two assists. He created more chances than any other Al Hilal player (17) despite starting only eight of their ten matches so far.

Soufiane Rahimi – Al Ain

Perhaps no player has had more impact on Al Ain’s continental fortunes since Omar Abdulrahman than Rahimi. No player in the competition has more goal contributions than the Moroccan winger, he is also primed to finish as the AFC Champions League 2023-24 top scorer, currently sitting joint-top with Al Hilal’s Mitrovic and Shandong Taishan’s Cryzan with eight goals each, but with the former sidelined with injury and the latter eliminated, one goal could be all that Rahimi needs to snatch the award.

The 27-year-old’s decisive influence was on full display as his late winner secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over FC Nasaf in the round-of-16. He then scored three goals across the two legs as Al Ain brushed aside Al Nassr 5-3 in aggregate.

Mohammed Al Burayk – Al Hilal

In the absence of Yasir Al Shahrani earlier in the season, Mohammed Al Burayk stepped up to cover the left-back spot and in the process established himself as one of Al Hilal’s most potent weapons.

A right-back by trade, Al Burayk’s eight successful crosses from open play – the highest in the side – produced six assists, a club high, and he added a goal to his tally for good measure. His 14 chances created are only bettered by Malcom and Al Dawsari.