With the visitors already eliminated coming into the match, Sydney FC knew a win was essential if they were any chance of advancing to the knockout rounds.

The Sky Blues came into the match knowing their fate in the competition was out of their hands, needing to win and then hope Suwon Samsung Bluewings didn’t beat Kashima Antlers in the other Group H encounter in Japan.

The home side flew out of the blocks looking for the goal they needed to ease the nerves around the Sydney Football Stadium, and they should’ve found it when Adrian Mierzejewski played a delightful through ball for Bobo, releasing the Brazilian striker one-on-one with Qiu Shengjiong, but the Shanghai custodian produced a fine save to put the ball out for a corner.

The Montenegrin's fifth goal of the 2018 campaign saw Suwon leapfrog the Japanese side, who qualify for the Round of 16 in second spot.

Suwon had the first chance when a slip from Yuto Misao let in Waguininho in the eighth minute. But the Brazilian took too long setting up the shot and Misao recovered to block.

Waguininho then had another decent opportunity in the 23rd minute but miscued his header from a good position.

Kashima then had their own miscue as Yuma Suzuki failed to make clean contact with a volley from the edge of the box.

Atsutaka Nakamura’s foul on Yeom Ki-hun on the edge of the Kashima area presented Suwon with an excellent chance in the 31st minute. And Waguininho’s low free kick from 20 yards was diverted into the net by Damjanovic to give the visitors the lead.

The Koreans almost added a second just before half-time when Damjanovic released Waguininho. The Brazilian’s powerful left-footed shot was well saved by Kwoun Sun-tae.

The Round of 16 stage promises to be a thrilling affair with several former AFC Champions League winners taking their place alongside teams who will be aiming to win the coveted title for the first time.

Al Rayyan and Al Ain locked horns in Doha with a place in the knock-out stages up for grabs, and it was the visitors who emerged on top with a comprehensive 4-1 win, thanks to smart wing play and lethal finishing.

With the home side already eliminated and Shanghai SIPG guaranteed of finishing top of Group F, there was little for either side to play for at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, but that didn’t stop either side from going all out looking for the three points.

It was Kevin Muscat’s men who created the best of the early chances, with Terry Antonis and Christian Theoharous going close before the deadlock was finally broken in the 40th minute. Melbourne striker Kenny Athiu was released into space down the left and crossed the ball into the box where Pierce Waring, making his first appearance in this campaign, side-footed the ball home.

The visitors wasted little time in restoring parity, however, with Lin Chuangyi finishing a nice move from Elkeson and Lu Wenjun on the stroke of half time.