Attention is focused on the anticipated clash between Al-Ittihad and Machida Zelvia in the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League for the elite, which will be officiated by Chinese referee Ma Ning.

Ma Ning has extensive experience on the Asian and international stage, having held the international badge since 2011. He has successfully established himself as one of the continent's top referees thanks to his strong personality.

The Chinese referee managed 370 matches during his career, issuing 1570 yellow cards and 104 red cards, in addition to awarding 124 penalties.

These figures reflect his firm style on the field, as he tends to enforce the rules with precision and strictness, making the matches he oversees full of discipline.

Ning previously managed three matches for the Al-Ittihad team, during which "Al-Ameed" succeeded in achieving two wins and one loss, without any draws.

These numbers give Al-Ittihad fans a sense of optimism before the match, especially with the team's positive record under the management of the Chinese referee.

Ma Ning's experience is expected to play a significant role in this crucial match, which is anticipated to feature strong competition between the two teams for the qualifying spot.