Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After just over two months of continental action, the final round of AFC Champions League group stage fixtures has arrived with five qualification spots for the last 16 still up for grabs.
With two places to be claimed in the West and a further three in the East, the-AFC.com highlights five things to look out for ahead of a week when everything will be decided.
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Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: After five enthralling rounds of fixtures, the group stage of the 2018 AFC Champions League will draw to a close in the West Zone on Monday and Tuesday, with just two spots in the Round of 16 still up for grabs.
The qualification berths from Groups A and C have already been decided, but there remain some intriguing match-ups in Groups B and D as Zobahan and Lokomotiv, and Al Rayyan and Al Ain battle it out for the final two places in the knockout rounds.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The 16 teams in the East Zone of the AFC Champions League will take to the field for the last time in the group stage on Tuesday and Wednesday with three places in the knockout rounds still on offer.
The qualifiers from Groups E and F may have already been decided, but there remains all to play for in Groups G and H where three out of four qualification spots have yet to be claimed ahead of the final round of fixtures.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Kuala Lumpur: The-AFC.com looks back on the week's AFC Champions League action through the words of some of the key men involved. Big wins, shock defeats and eyes on the future all feature.
It was a very hard game. Suwon played well, but we took our chances and scored goals. We are very happy as this was a very important game for us. We are looking forward to the next game and we still believe we have a chance to go to the next round.
Tsing Tao Player-of-the-Match winner Adrian Mierzejewski remains optimistic of a place in the Round of 16 after Sydney FC's 4-1 win away at Suwon Samsung Bluewings.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Doha: Al Rayyan must deal Al Ain a first defeat in Group D of the 2018 AFC Champions League on Monday in order to leapfrog the Emirati side into second place in the standings.
The Qatari side are chasing a maiden place in the knockout rounds ahead of the game at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, but dropped into third place after the 2-0 loss to Esteghlal in early April.
Al Ain, meanwhile, secured their first win of the campaign after four successive draws when Marcus Berg netted two penalties in a 2-1 victory over Al Hilal.
The hosts go into the game on the back of a 4-1 victory over Al Ahli in the Qatar Stars League last week, while Al Ain made it four wins in a row in all competitions when they beat Al Fujairah 4-2 on Thursday.
Ahmed Barman misses out through suspension for Al Ain, who will be able to call on Ismail Mohamed and Mohamed Abdulrahman after the pair served one-game bans against Al Hilal.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tehran: Persepolis can finish as table-toppers in Group C of the 2018 AFC Champions League if they overcome Al Sadd at Azadi Stadium on Monday.
The Iranian side have won both of their home games and secured their place in the next round following a scoreless draw away at Nasaf two weeks ago.
Al Sadd currently occupy first position and two more goals from striker Baghdad Bounedjah in a 2-1 victory over Al Wasl in early April confirmed a place in the last 16.
The hosts, who are without the suspended Shojae Khalilzadeh, drew 1-1 with Pars Jam Bushehr on Wednesday although they have already been crowned Iranian champions.
The visitors’ last Qatar Stars League game was a 9-1 victory over Al Kharitiyath just over a week ago as they brought a poor recent domestic run to an end. They will be without the suspended Abdelkarim Hassan.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Al Wasl will look to claim their first points in Group C of the 2018 AFC Champions League when they host Nasaf at Zabeel Stadium on Monday.
The Emirati side’s 2-1 defeat at Al Sadd on Matchday Five made it five reversals in a row and they will be desperate to give their fans something to cheer about at the end of what has been a difficult campaign.
Nasaf’s failure to beat Persepolis last time out meant the Uzbek side lost their chance of progessing to the next round for the first time ever, but they can take heart from what has been a decent showing on the continent.
Al Wasl, who are without the suspended Ali Saleh but welcome Abdalla Al Naqbi back into the fold, warmed up for the match with a 1-0 win over Dibba Al Fijairah last Wednesday.
The visitors, meanwhile, defeated defending champions Lokomotiv in their last domestic game and sit joint second in the Uzbek Super League.