After ending goalless with Korea Republic’s Ulsan Hyundai on Matchday One, the Australian side conceded late to lose 1-0 to Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale last time out and they now prop up the standings having yet to score a goal.

The hosts go into the game on the back of a crucial 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory on Saturday that saw them maintain their position in second place in the A-League while opening up a four-point gap on their opponents.

A recent poor run that included a defeat to bitter rivals Persepolis was not the ideal preparation for a difficult-looking Group C clash against Saudi Arabia powerhouse Al Hilal, but Tehran giants Esteghlal rose to the occasion to secure a priceless win - their first of the 2019 edition - and stay in contention in the race for the Round 16.

The two-time champions defeated Japan’s Sanfrecce Hiroshima in their opening game, but suffered a 3-1 loss to Daegu FC on Matchday Two to leave them three points adrift of the Korea Republic side.

Guangzhou maintained their perfect start to the Chinese Super League season on Saturday with a 2-0 victory over city rivals Guangzhou R&F, making it four wins from four as they kept pace with table-toppers Beijing FC.

An Edgar Silva brace and a goal from Kim Dae-won helped Daegu defeat two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande 3-1 on Matchday Two as they followed up their victory by the same scoreline over Melbourne Victory in perfect style.

The visitors go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Seongnam FC on Saturday that leaves them in fifth position in K League 1 ahead of the double header against Sanfrecce.

The Saudi side came into the encounter chasing their first points of the campaign, having lost both their first two matches, while Al Zawraa needed a win to end the first half of the group stage in top spot.

Coming off the back of their heaviest-ever AFC Champions League defeat, Al Wasl were looking to recover from their 5-0 humbling at the hands of Al Zawraa. Meanwhile, Zobahan looked to extend their unbeaten record this campaign to three games.

Following more than 370,000 votes in total, with 16 entries from the inaugural campaign up till as recently as last year, the fans' favourite was decided: Iranian icon Teymourian's breathtaking goal from Esteghlal's quarter-final second leg against Thailand's Buriram United.