The two-time J.League champions were unlucky to concede a late penalty and lose 1-0 to Shanghai SIPG last week, but the result meant Kawasaki have now not won in the competition for eight games in a run that stretches back to the first leg of the 2017 quarter-finals.

Kawasaki then conceded deep into stoppage time to draw 2-2 with Yokohama F. Marinos on Sunday to mean they have now drawn their opening three games of the J.League season and sit in the bottom half of the table.

The side from Korea Republic played out a scoreless draw with Sydney FC in Australia last week before returning home and repeating the scoreline against Gangwon in K League 1 on Sunday.

Ulsan and Shanghai met for the first time in the competition last year, playing out a 2-2 draw in Shanghai then, a year to the day before Wednesday’s meeting, the Chinese side won 1-0 in Ulsan.

Zhang Xizhe drew Beijing level with Jeonbuk on Matchday One last week before they eventually lost 3-1; however, they responded in perfect fashion by posting a 4-0 victory over Chongqing Dangdai on Saturday to maintain their 100 percent start in the Chinese Super League.

Beijing twice faced Urawa in the 2015 group stage, winning 2-0 at home and drawing 1-1 in Japan with forward Yu Dabao scoring in both games as they ultimately advanced while Urawa exited.

The Thai side won the first leg 3-2 at Buriram Stadium last year before being eliminated following a 2-0 defeat in Korea Republic, but the hosts will be hopeful that home backing can again prove inspirational against the two-time champions.

Buriram lost their opening Group G game 3-0 against 2017 winners Urawa Red Diamonds but returned to Thailand to post their first Thai League 1 victory this season after seeing off Prachuap 2-0 on Saturday.

Backed by a capacity crowd at Karbala Sport City Stadium, Al Zawraa started on the front foot as Abbas tested Al Wasl goalkeeper Humaid Abdulla from range 17 minutes in, but the Emirati goalkeeper tipped the shot behind for a corner.

The home crowd were sent into raptures as Al Zawraa skipper Samal Saeed fired home the opening goal halfway through the opening period.

The defender capitalised on a poor headed clearance by Abdulla Jassim to take the ball on the half-volley with his left, leaving the goalkeeper watching as his thunderous strike nestled into the back of the net.

Nejmeh captain Kassem El Zein nearly gifted Al Jaish the opening goal 10 minutes into the match, but the defender’s miscued clearance was headed just wide by Mohammed Al Wakid.

Nader Matar produced Nejmeh’s first chance of the match in the 21st minute, sending a long range shot that swerved at the last second, narrowly missing the target.

The Syrians started with a strong attacking intent and had their first real chance within six minutes when Mohamad Muhtadi controlled a cross inside the box and laid it for Mohamad Omar whose left-footed effort from close range was collected by the goalkeeper following a deflection.

Senegalese forward Mouhammadou Drame responded with an attempt from inside the box that was easily caught by the Syrian goalkeeper.