The draw for the 2022 J.League YBC Levain Cup Prime Stage has been made, with the final eight teams remaining in the competition now aware of their path to the prestigious trophy.

This year’s AFC Champions League representatives from the J.League — Kawasaki Frontale, Yokohama F·Marinos, Vissel Kobe, and Urawa Reds — have entered the competition and will duke it out with the four remaining sides from the Play-Off Stage.

The draw threw up a quartet of compelling ties, highlighted by a clash between last year’s domestic cup holders as last year’s Emperor’s Cup champions, Urawa Reds, will go toe-to-toe with Nagoya Grampus, who are looking for a Levain Cup repeat.

A potential Thai Derby lurks as Chanathip Songkrasin’s Kawasaki Frontale begin their road to a first J.League YBC Levain Cup title since 2019 when they take on Chaowat Veerachart’s Cerezo Osaka.

Elsewhere, Meiji Yasuda J1 League leaders Yokohama F·Marinos will take on Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who are also flying high as of late, while Vissel Kobe will endeavor to break out of their recent slump with a matchup against Avispa Fukuoka.

The Prime Stage will kick off on August 3, with the second leg of the quarter-finals taking place a week later on August 10. Broadcast details for international fans will be announced shortly.