Urawa players celebrate after scoring a goal against Al Qadsia on Wednesday.

By R. Ravi Kumar 

KUALA LUMPUR: This is the first time since the AFC Champions League was re-launched in 2002-03 that West Asian teams are missing from the semi-final line-up.

The ouster of Kuwaiti side Al Qadsia and Syrian club Al Karama by Japanese clubs Wednesday ended a long-running record of sorts which has seen West Asian teams unfailingly register their presence in the semi-finals over the previous five editions and winning three of them.

UAE’s Al Ain were the only West Asian team in the 2003 semi-finals but went on to scoop the inaugural title after defeating Thailand’s BEC Tero Sasana 2-1 on aggregate.

Saudi giants Al Ittihad carried the burden of being the sole representatives of West Asia in the 2004 semi-finals by defeating Jeonbuk Motors of Korea Republic before mounting one of the most incredible comebacks in world football in the final.

Al Ittihad came back from a 1-3 first leg deficit to drub Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma of Korea 5-0 away for a brilliant win which will remain etched in the minds of fans for all times to come.

In 2005, Al Ittihad and Al Ain stormed into the semi-finals and turned the final into a see-saw West Asian derby where the Jeddah side retained the trophy.

The following edition saw Al Qadsia bow out to Syrian minnows Al Karama in a thrilling semi-final which ended 0-0 in the first leg before the underdogs turned on the style to stun the Kuwaiti side 1-0 away in the return fixture.

Al Karama were within touching distance of history in the final but suffered a heart-breaking 3-2 aggregate defeat to Jeonbuk Motors despite winning the second leg 2-1.

UAE titans Al Wahda made the cut last year before losing to eventual finalists Sepahan of Iran.