Goals from Hiroaki Okuno and Tiago Pagnussat eased Culpi’s side past the Chinese club at Buriram Stadium to give the Japanese the perfect start on their quest for top spot in the standings and the guaranteed berth that comes with it in the next round.

The former Montenegro international claimed his 37th goal in the competition to confirm Kitchee’s win after Roberto had given his side the lead eight minutes before half time, and a confident Damjanovic is sure he will continue hitting the back of the net during the remaining Group J games.

Having drawn their tournament opener in early 2020 prior to the onset of COVID-19, Ulsan were unstoppable when the competition resumed later in the year in Qatar, going on a record-equaling nine-game winning streak that culminated in a 2-1 victory over Persepolis FC in the final as the K League 1 side added to the continental title they won in 2012.

Yoon was an integral part of the championship-winning team, scoring four and creating a further three as he picked up the MVP award on the back of a campaign in which his performances lit up the tournament.

The two sides opened their campaigns with wins and with only the group winners assured of a place in the Round of 16, both will be eager for another three points which would see them open a gap at the top of the standings.

Nagoya worked hard to defeat Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim 1-0 on Matchday One while Pohang beat Thailand’s Ratchaburi FC 2-0.

Ratchaburi suffered a 2-0 defeat against Korea Republic's Pohang Steelers, while Johor Darul Ta’zim lost 1-0 to Nagoya Grampus of Japan on Matchday One.

After failing to navigate the playoff stage in two attempts, Chiangrai United finally made their group stage debut last year. The campaign ended in heartbreak as they finished bottom of the group, but there were plenty of positives for the Thai side including a maiden win against Korea Republic’s FC Seoul.

The first team from the Garden City in a decade to appear on Asian club football’s greatest stage, the Stags arrived in Uzbekistan as outsiders in a group featuring two former AFC Champions League winners.

But despite their decorated Group H rivals, last year’s Singapore Premier League runners-up won't turn their backs on the freewheeling style that has made them one of Southeast Asia’s most watchable teams in 2021.