Only the Qatari club have secured their place in the knockout phase while Al Wasl are the sole side unable to advance. The-AFC.com looks at the state-of play for the teams who are still in the hunt.

As the competition takes a three-week break, join the-AFC.com as we take a look at the week in numbers.

As ever in Tehran, the competition sparked fever pitch as fans of the Islamic Republic of Iran giants turned up in the tens of thousands to witness the 1-1 draw between two-time continental champions Esteghlal and inaugural AFC Champions League winners Al Ain.

Mame Baba Thiam put the hosts a goal up from the spot just before half-time before Tsukasa Shiotani levelled with 12 minutes to play as Esteghlal remained top of the standings, two points ahead of third-place Al Ain who have drawn four from four.

"We didn’t just play against 11 opposing players, we played against 90,000 fans."
Al Ain playmaker Omar Abdulrahman on facing a packed Azadi Stadium after his club's 1-1 draw against Esteghlal

Esteghlal maintained a low block to keep their visitors at bay for extended periods of the game, but continued pressure from Al Ain finally delivered an equaliser as the two sides kept an unbeaten record in the competition.

It’s fair to say Buriram would now be considered experienced continental campaigners, with 2018 marking their sixth appearance in the group stage of the AFC Champions League.

Along the way they’ve had some memorable moments, like in 2013 when they not only made it out of their group, but then defeated Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor in the Round of 16 to make it through to the quarter-finals, the best performance by a Thai side since BEC Tero Sasana made the final in 2003.

Unquestionably one of the most prolific players to participate in the AFC Champions League since the tournament revamp in 2002-2003, made more history on March 13 when Suwon Samsung Bluewings forward Damjanovic fired in his third goal of the 2018 campaign.

Not only did the strike end the deadlock with China's Shanghai Shenhua and pave the way to a 2-0 win that keeps the Koreans firmly on track for a place in the Round of 16, but it was the 36-year-old's 30th goal in the AFC Champions League, leaving him out alone in second place on the all-time scorers list.

The-AFC.com caught up with the former Montenegro international to reflect on his achievements so far.