Goals from Bafetimbi Gomis and Salem Al Dawsari secured the 2019 champions a place in the quarter-finals for the fifth time in eight editions. 

Esteghlal, however, were not without chances and the complexion of the match may well have changed had the Islamic Republic of Iran Club pulled one back.

The match pits one of continental club football’s most successful sides up against a team that only made their AFC Champions League debut in the group stage in June as the tournament moves into its one-leg knockout stage format.

While Jeonbuk are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the ninth time, BG Pathum are looking to become the first Thai side to advance to the last eight since Buriram United in 2013.

The 2014 edition was also the setting of the last time the two sides met in Asian action with the pair facing off in the group stage.

Japan’s Cerezo, who reached the 2011 quarter-finals, are participating in the AFC Champions League for the fourth time and 2009 winners Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic are making their eighth appearance and looking to reach the last eight stage for the third time.

Goals from Bafetimbi Gomis and Salem Al Dawsari, both heroes of Al Hilal’s 2019 AFC Champions League-winning side, proved decisive for the Saudi club, who have now reached the quarter-finals in five of the last eight editions of the competition.

While Leonardo Jardim’s side can look forward with optimism to the latter stages of the competition, Esteghlal’s defeat sealed their elimination from the tournament, ending their bid for a first Asian club title since 1991.

The game will be the third time two Emirati sides have faced in the AFC Champions League, and the first involving either of the two sides. The two previous such occasions saw Al Ain involved, as they faced Al Jazira in the 2014 Round of 16 and Al Ahli at the same stage a year later.

The clash in Korea Republic will see the current leaders of the domestic championships in both East Asian nations face off in what should be a mouth-watering tie given both sides are currently on 100 percent records following the group stage phase of the 2021 AFC Champions League.

Two-time winners Ulsan will be looking to return to the quarter-finals for the fourth time, the same goal for Kawasaki who previously featured in the last eight in the 2007, 2009 and 2017 editions.

The game sees the two sides face off for the first time in their history with Japan’s Nagoya participating in the AFC Champions League for the fourth time and Korea Republic’s Daegu making just their second appearance.

After a nine-year hiatus on the continent, J1 League side Nagoya are looking to go beyond the last 16 for just the second time, while K League 1 club Daegu are hoping to emulate a number of illustrious Korean teams by going deep into the tournament.