The 48-year-old's side have won only once in nine Chinese Super League (CSL) games this season and languish one place off the bottom of the table.

A Hebei team containing former Barcelona star Javier Mascherano lost 3-2 at home to mid-table Henan Jianye at the weekend and had a player sent off for the fourth time in all competitions this year.

With the competition's top scorer adding to his tally and its meanest defence registering another shutout, there were plenty of talking points, so join the-AFC.com as we look back at the week in numbers.

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History-makers, baby-cradlers, hard-workers and hulking strikers all feature as the-AFC.com talks to those involved in the latest edition of the Continent's most presitigious competition.

Shanghai SIPG's star forward Hulk scored a brace in his side's 2-2 draw away at Kawasaki Frontale in their penultimate Group H tie on Tuesday to earn this week's top accolade.

The Brazilian's double kept the Chinese club in the driving seat for a place in the Round of 16 with a home tie against already-eliminated Sydney FC to come on May 21.

Hulk's first of the night was a wonderful surging run from the halfway line that was nominated for Goal of the Week, before his second came from towering header in the first half. His all-round performance saw him register 71 touches, win five fouls and make 25 passes as he was awarded a 8.7 rating to lead the Toyota Player of the Week standings.

Countryman Giuliano (below) likewise shone on Matchday Five with the Al Nassr attacker scoring and getting an assist for the Saudi side in their 3-1 win over Al Wasl on Tuesday.

First-half strikes from Aaron Calver and Alex Brosque, along with a Leigh Broxham own goal, set them on their way, with Le Fondre ramming home the advantage with a penalty and a well-taken chance in the second period before Milos Ninkovic hit a sixth.

It put three-time champions Sydney into the decider next Sunday against Perth, the year's dominant team.

Perth made the grade by beating Adelaide United 5-4 in a dramatic penalty shoot-out on Friday after a white-knuckle game ended 3-3 in extra-time.

Al Duhail won 3-0 thanks to a brace from Suley Muntari while Edmilson Junior scored the other to set up an exciting showdown against 2018-19 Qatar Stars League champions Al Sadd.