AFC Champions League winners in 2017, Urawa were bitterly disappointed to miss out on the chance to retain their crown in 2018 after failing to qualify for the tournament.

So, for many at the club, the 2019 edition has acted like a title defence for the Saitama side. And yet it has not gone quite to plan.

A tough Group G sees them third with just four points going into Matchday Five, and Australia international Nabbout insists that nothing less than victory in Buriram will do.

Korea Republic's Ulsan knows what it takes to win the AFC Champions League and, moreover, they know what it takes to do so unbeaten having done just that in the 2012 edition.

While it is far too early to say, the 2019 version of the team is set to replicate this, they have certainly begun in similar fashion having not lost in their first four fixtures, and are one of just three sides yet to taste defeat.

The-AFC.com spoke exclusively to Ulsan's Norway-born United States international Diskerud to get his views on the tournament so far, how deep the Korean club can go, and what lies in store for Tuesday's tie with Sydney FC.

Kim Shin-wook struck the decisive goal as Jeonbuk claimed a 2-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds two weeks ago to make it back-to-back wins over the Japanese side.

Jeonbuk go into the game at Workers’ Stadium on the back of a scoreless draw against Seongnam FC at the weekend that saw them move a point clear at the top of K League 1.

After defeating Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors on Matchday Two, Buriram have suffered successive losses to Beijing FC and if they fail to win their elimination will be confirmed with a game to spare.

The hosts' form domestically has been better and they go into the game on the back of a 3-1 victory over PTT Rayong last Wednesday as they remained in second place in Thai League 1.

The J.League side must avoid defeat or they will have their elimination confirmed with a game to spare, but victory would move them above the Chinese team ahead of the final round of fixtures.

Kei Chinan scored in the final 10 minutes to secure a 2-2 draw against Ulsan Hyundai two weeks ago and Kawasaki warmed up for Tuesday’s game with their fourth successive J.League victory – a 3-1 win over Vegalta Sendai on Friday.

Unbeaten Ulsan are three points clear at the top of the table after picking up four points from the double-header with Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale on Matchdays Three and Four.

However, the 2012 winners’ recent form has been inconsistent and, without the suspended Kim Tae-hwan, they go into the game at Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium on the back of a 2-1 loss to Pohang Steelers on Saturday that leaves them second in K League 1.

Shinzo Koroki had the first effort on goal when his low shot went just wide after Ewerton’s dummy had created space.

But it was the home side who took the lead in the 12th minute. Ricardo Lopes stole possession, drove forward and struck a firm, low shot into the far corner from 20 yards.