Port finished in third place in Group J with eight points from their six matches and closed out their campaign with a 5-1 defeat of Guangzhou FC, although Sarawut was unhappy that his side allowed the China PR club to score their first goal in this year’s competition.

Cerezo’s 0-0 draw with Kitchee in their final Group J match ensured the J-League side finished on top of the standings and progress to the knockout rounds of the competition for the third time in the club’s history and for the first time since 2014.

With both teams assured of their places in the Round of 16 following results in other groups, Ulsan head into the match with a perfect 15 points on the board, with BG Pathum United three behind.

The Thai League side will need to win by three clear goals if they are overtake the defending champions for pole position while Ulsan only need to avoid defeat.

Both have already been eliminated from Round of 16 contention with Viettel the better placed with three points while Kaya of the Philippines head into the match having suffered five defeats, including a 5-0 loss to Sunday's Vietnamese opponents in the corresponding fixture.

The reigning J1 League champions won each of their past five games and one more victory could make them the first side to collect all 18 points in the AFC Champions League group stage since Qatar’s Al Duhail SC in 2018, and the first in East zone since their compatriots Kashima Antlers all the way back in 2010.

Defending champions Ulsan Hyundai FC will also match the feat if they defeat Thailand's GH Pathum United in their final Group F match on Sunday.

With nine points from five matches, Daegu now have a clear picture of what is required to advance to the last 16 for the first time, with a win to guarantee their progression, while a draw or defeat will bring their campaign to an abrupt end.

The 42 teams were drawn into 11 groups with 15 spots available at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2022 with Uzbekistan having already confirmed their place as hosts, the first time the tournament will be staged in the Central Zone.

The draw divided the teams into two Regions – the West Region comprising 23 West, South and Central Participating Teams as well as the East Region, which consists of 19 East and ASEAN Participating Teams.

The Qualifiers are scheduled for October 23 to 31, 2021 with the 11 group winners and four best second-placed teams sealing their qualification to the Finals.