Both Urawa, who debuted at the 2007 edition, and Ulsan, who first appeared at the 2006 competition, have a rich history in the Continent's premier club competition, and both know what it takes to lift the AFC Champions League title.

So it may come as some surprise that their Round of 16 meeting will in fact be their first time facing off against each other at this level.

Urawa, winners of the 2007 crown, were unable to defend their 2017 title, after failing to qualify for the 2018 tournament, but have come back strongly in 2019 and are taking part in the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League for the fifth time in their history,

The form team in the 2019 AFC Champions League visits the holders at Kashima Soccer Stadium in what is sure to be a fascinating clash of countrymen.

Sanfrecce arrive in Ibaraki Prefecture on the back of five consecutive AFC Champions League victories, their best run of results in the Continental competition.

This will be only their second appearance in the knockout stages, having lost to eventual winners Western Sydney Wanderers in the 2014 edition.

Guangzhou needed a Matchday Six victory over Korea Republic’s Daegu FC to confirm their place in the knockout rounds for the seventh time in eight years after advancing as Group F runners-up. They go into the match, however, having been eliminated by Chinese opposition in each of the past two campaigns.

Making their return to the tournament for the first time since 2016, Shandong progressed from Group E with minimal fuss, winning three and drawing two of their first five games to seal a spot in the last 16 with a game to spare.

The clash – which pits together the league champions of China and Korea Republic – gives Shanghai the chance to avenge the 5-0 loss they suffered at the hands of eventual champions Jeonbuk on what was their debut campaign three years ago.

Oscar netted a hat-trick as Vitor Pereira’s team recorded their own 5-0 victory over another Korean side, Ulsan Hyundai, on Matchday Six to seal the runners-up spot in Group H and advance to the knockout rounds for the fourth successive season.

Jeonbuk, meanwhile, secured their safe passage to the last 16 with a game to spare after a pair of wins over both Urawa Red Diamonds and Beijing FC ensured they finished on top of Group G.

Shanghai SIPG's maiden appearance in the AFC Champions League three years ago was ended in comprehensive fashion when they came up against eventual winners Jeonbuk in the last eight.

After a goalless draw at Shanghai Stadium, the K-League side turned on the style to defeat their Chinese Super League visitors 5-0 in Jeonju to sail into the semi-finals.

The holders grip on their Asian crown was close to slipping off completely in the Group Stage of the 2019 edition, but a come-from-behind win over China PR's Shandong Luneng on Matchday Six saw Kashima of Japan extend their stay on the Continental throne until at least the Round of 16.

However, defeating countrymen Sanfrecce and remaining among the final eight will require the Ibaraki club to lift their performances according to Nagaki.

The J.League giants have tasted just one defeat in the last 14 AFC Champions League fixtures on home soil and it is this impressive record that helped Urawa to the 2017 Continental title.

And Muto knows that a win on Wednesday over Ulsan would be a big step for the club towards making a fourth appearance in the quarter-finals.