Muangthong United F.C.
Both teams met already in the preliminary round. The first game ended in a scoreless draw, while Al-Qadsia won the second match 3–0, but in the second match it was already known that both sides would advance. Both teams had a hard time surviving the first knockout-stage where Al-Qadsia needed extra time to beat the Indian club Churchill Brothers while Al-Ittihad drew Al-Kuwait 1–1 after 120 minutes and won 5–4 after penalties. In the quarterfinals both teams had no bigger problems to advance to the semifinals. Al-Ittihad lost the first leg in the semifinals 0–1 against Muangthong United F.C. from Thailand but came back to win the second leg at home 2–0.