This midweek sees the climax of the AFC Champions League group stages.
Groups C and D in the West Region were completed on Monday. Group C saw Iran’s Perepolis and Qatar’s Al-Sadd claim places in the knock-out stages, while in Group D Al-Ain coasted to a 4-1 win at Al-Rayyan to join group winners Esteghlal in the next round.
Al-Jazira host Al-Ahli on Tuesday in Group A. Both sides have already qualified but the hosts can win the group if they take the three points. Qatar’s Al-Duhail are safely through as winners of Group B, but second place in the group hinges on Zob Ahan’s trip to Lokomotiv Tashkent. The sides are level on points and the visitors require only a point to qualify due to the head-to-head record between the clubs.
In the East Region K-League side Jeonbuk will be looking to carry on their recent good form at home to Hong Kong’s Kitchee in Group E. A win for Jeonbuk will see them win the group. The K-League leaders have already booked a place in the next round along with China’s Tianjin Quanjian. Similarly, one side each from China and Korea have tied up the qualification places from Group F. Shanghai SIPG and Ulsan Hyundai go into Round 6 knowing they are assured of progress to the knockout stage.
There is much more to play for in Group G. Thai side Buriram United travel to Korea to face Jeju knowing that a win could see them progress depending on the outcome of Cerezo Osaka’s visit to Guangzhou Evergrande. With Jeju already eliminated there are two places in the next round up for grabs between the three remaining sides.
Also facing a must-win game are Sydney FC in Group H. They take on already-eliminated Shanghai Shenhua in Australia knowing that three points will see them join Kashima Antlers in the next stage unless K-League side Suwon Bluewings beat the group leaders in Japan.
South Korea
