The clash – which pits together the league champions of China and Korea Republic – gives Shanghai the chance to avenge the 5-0 loss they suffered at the hands of eventual champions Jeonbuk on what was their debut campaign three years ago.

Oscar netted a hat-trick as Vitor Pereira’s team recorded their own 5-0 victory over another Korean side, Ulsan Hyundai, on Matchday Six to seal the runners-up spot in Group H and advance to the knockout rounds for the fourth successive season.

Jeonbuk, meanwhile, secured their safe passage to the last 16 with a game to spare after a pair of wins over both Urawa Red Diamonds and Beijing FC ensured they finished on top of Group G.

The meeting between the champions of China PR and the champions of Korea Republic is one of the most eye-catching fixtures in the 2019 AFC Champions League's last 16 but especially so when the history between the two sides is taken into account.

In 2016, Shanghai SIPG were making their debut in the Continental competition and had impressed in the Group Stage with their attack-minded football led by the likes China PR star Wu Lei, Elkeson and Dario Conca. A Round of 16 victory over FC Tokyo saw the Chinese club into the quarter-finals at the first time of asking, but there they came up against the experienced Jeonbuk.

A goalless stalemate in Shanghai was an even affair, but the return meeting in Jeonju resulted in a comprehensive 5-0 win for the hosts who would go on to win the tournament. Three years have passed since then, but the two sides are now set to meet for the first time since the quarter-finals.

The two-legged fixtures will kick off on Tuesday and Wednesday with the return legs the following week. The four winning sides will progress to the quarter-finals at the end of August.

We look at eight players – one from each of the Round of 16 sides in the East – who will be key for their respective teams' chances of victory.

Shanghai SIPG's maiden appearance in the AFC Champions League three years ago was ended in comprehensive fashion when they came up against eventual winners Jeonbuk in the last eight.

After a goalless draw at Shanghai Stadium, the K-League side turned on the style to defeat their Chinese Super League visitors 5-0 in Jeonju to sail into the semi-finals.

The form team in the 2019 AFC Champions League visits the holders at Kashima Soccer Stadium in what is sure to be a fascinating clash of countrymen.

Sanfrecce arrive in Ibaraki Prefecture on the back of five consecutive AFC Champions League victories, their best run of results in the Continental competition.

This will be only their second appearance in the knockout stages, having lost to eventual winners Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2014 edition.

Guangzhou needed a Matchday Six victory over Korea Republic’s Daegu FC to confirm their place in the knockout rounds for the seventh time in eight years after advancing as Group F runners-up. They go into the match, however, having been eliminated by Chinese opposition in each of the past two campaigns.

Making their return to the tournament for the first time since 2016, Shandong progressed from Group E with minimal fuss, winning three and drawing two of their first five games to seal a spot in the last 16 with a game to spare.

With five former champions – including the previous four winners – and a pair of same-country clashes, there is plenty to whet the appetite, so the-AFC.com has picked out five things to look out for ahead of the action.