Bunyodkor had reached the play-off stage after defeating Iraq’s Al Zawraa 4-1 in the Preliminary Round 2 a week earlier. Meanwhile, Al Ain were placed directly in this stage, having finished fourth in the 2018-19 UAE Pro League.

Esteghlal had arrived to the play-off stage on the back of a 3-0 win over Kuwait SC in the second preliminary round, while Al Rayyan were kicking-off their campaign at this stage on home soil after finishing fourth in the 2018-19 Qatar Stars League season.

The 2013 runners-up will go into Group E when the tournament begins next month, where they will face Chinese Super League side Beijing FC, Thai champions Chiangrai United and Melbourne Victory from Australia.

Second half goals from Sei Muroya and Adaílton Da Silva stamped Tokyo’s ticket to the tournament proper, in the process ending Ceres Negros’ bid to become the first club from the Philippines to reach the group stage.

Tokyo’s win means the 2019 J1 League runners-up will join Ulsan Hyundai, Shanghai Shenhua and Perth Glory in Group F, which begins on February 11.

Andrew Nabbout’s second-half goal and a stellar performance from goalkeeper Lawrence Thomas proved the difference as Melbourne joined China PR’s Beijing FC, Chiangrai United from Thailand and Korea Republic heavyweights FC Seoul in Group E of Asia’s premier club competition.

By way of contrast, the result signalled a premature end to Kashima’s latest Continental adventure, with the 2018 title winners left to rue what could have been at a rain-sodden Kashima Soccer Stadium.

Li broke Buriram’s stubborn resistance 15 minutes from time in a one-sided match-up in which the Thais defended doggedly before Arnautovic added a second in injury time and Hulk struck from the penalty spot.

Vitor Pereira’s side will now feature in Group H of the AFC Champions League, where they will meet Australia’s Sydney FC, J.League champions Yokohama F Marinos and two-time champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors from Korea Republic.

Since 2009, Asia's football fans have enjoyed the exciting addition of the qualifying stage to the AFC Champions League experience. Over a decade ago that entire process involved just five teams, a number that has risen to today's total of 28 sides.

There have been some classic encounters over the years involving late winners, penalty shootouts and upset victories. And, in one notable case, the winners of the entire tournament progressing all the way from the play-offs.