All eyes are on two high-profile clashes in the AFC Champions League for the elite, after the Asian Football Confederation announced the appointment of Chinese referee Ma Ning to officiate the anticipated match between Al-Ahli and Al-Duhail in Jeddah.

The match is held in a single-elimination format, giving it a decisive nature and placing the referee under significant pressure due to the intense competition between the two teams for the qualification spot.

Ma Ning is considered one of the continent's most prominent referees, known for his strong presence on the field and decisive decisions that he does not hesitate to make during major matches.

Despite his status, his record has not been free from criticism, as he faced backlash after officiating a controversial match in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, putting him under scrutiny once again.

Al Ahly enters the match with high spirits following their results in the group stage, while Al Duhail aims to defy expectations and eliminate the titleholder in a decisive encounter.

In contrast, the Asian Football Confederation assigned the task of officiating the match between Al Hilal and Al Sadd to the Australian referee Shaun Evans, one of the prominent names in international refereeing.

Evans began his career as an assistant referee before becoming a field referee, earning his international badge in 2017, and subsequently embarking on a journey filled with major matches.

The Australian referee previously participated as part of the video technology team in the 2022 World Cup, in addition to officiating several important finals at the continental and local levels.

The match between Al Hilal and Al Sadd holds great significance, as the Saudi team aims to reclaim the title, while the Qatari opponent aspires to continue its journey towards the final stages.

The matches are considered a tough test for the referees, given the high sensitivity of the knockout stages, where refereeing decisions could play a decisive role in determining the qualifiers.