With Saudi Arabia's Al Ahli Saudi FC and Esteghlal FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran playing to a 0-0 in Tuesday's late match, Al Duhail are tied on eight points with the two heading into Friday's Matchday Six.

The Al Duhail head coach could only watch bemusedly as the already eliminated Al Shorta claimed their first points of the campaign thanks to goals from Amjed Attwan and Mohammed Dawood.

While the Iraqi side had every reason to celebrate their victory, the result was a body blow to Al Duhail’s Round of 16 chances, with the Qataris tied on eight points with Islamic Republic of Iran’s Esteghlal FC and Saudi Arabia’s Al Ahli Saudi FC going into Matchday Six.

Al Hilal showed no signs of carrying the effects of the 4-1 Machday Four defeat to FC Istiklol as goals from Luciano Vietto, Bafetimbi Gomis and Yasir Al Shahrani sealed victory against AGMK at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium.

The three points took Al Hilal to 10 points, level with FC Istiklol with the Tajikistan side topping the table on a better head-to-head with the Saudi side.

Dzhalilov struck in the last minute of stoppage time to secure all three points for Istiklol, keeping the Tajikistan champions at the top of Group A with 10 points, with the captain also praising his teammates on following their game plan.

With Qatar’s Al Duhail SC having suffered a shock 2-1 defeat to Al Shorta of Iraq in the group earlier match on Tuesday, Al Ahli Saudi and Esteghlal went into their tie at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium knowing victory would place them in pole position to win the group and seal the sole automatic ticket to the Round of 16.

Instead, the 90 minutes ended in a stalemate, with both tied on eight points with Al Duhail going into Matchday Six on Thursday.

Tim Matavz put Al Wahda ahead five minutes into the tie at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium as ten Cate’s charges registered their third consecutive victory.

The win took Al Wahda to 10 points, two behind group leaders Persepolis of the Islamic Republic of Iran with the UAE club to end their group stage campaign against hosts FC Goa on Thursday.

Nam Tae-hee’s 64th minute header proved the difference in their Matchday Five clash, as Al Sadd moved up to the top of the standings with 10 points.

Xavi’s charges held control of the match at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, recording nearly 60 percent of possession with 12 shots, and the legendary Spaniard was ecstatic with the vital win as a draw against Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr on Thursday will seal Al Sadd their Round of 16 berth.