Making their first appearance since reaching the last 16 in 2012, the Japanese club had few problems in winning Group G back in June and July, when Langerak made his own long-awaited return to the tournament after he left Melbourne Victory for Borussia Dortmund back in 2010.

Eight years in Europe followed before the Australian returned to Asia to join Nagoya in early 2018. And after his first two campaigns ended in bottom-half finishes, a record-breaking 17 clean sheets in the 2020 season helped his side book their ticket back to the continental competition.

The game sees the two sides face off for the first time in their history with Japan’s Nagoya participating in the AFC Champions League for the fourth time and Korea Republic’s Daegu making just their second appearance.

After a nine-year hiatus on the continent, J1 League side Nagoya are looking to go beyond the last 16 for just the second time, while K League 1 club Daegu are hoping to emulate a number of illustrious Korean teams by going deep into the tournament.

As the countdown to the knockout stage reaches its final days, the-AFC.com takes through who has arrived, who has departed and what it all means ahead of some of the biggest matches on the Asian football calendar

As the countdown to the knockout stage reaches its final days, the-AFC.com takes you through who has arrived, who has departed and what it all means ahead of some of the biggest matches on the Asian football calendar.

On the back of an incredible 15-game winning run, defending champions Ulsan Hyundai are among the contenders, as are the 2020 runners-up Persepolis FC and former winners Al Hilal SFC, Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Pohang Steelers, while newcomers FC Istiklol and BG Pathum United enter the knockout rounds in their debut campaigns.

As the big kick-off fast approaches, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for in the days ahead.

With a few weeks and a transfer window sitting between the group stage and the round of 16, a number of players have come in to supplement the already star-studded sides vying for a place in the quarter-final stage.

With the sides boasting star-studded quality in defence and attack, as well as a number of exciting young prospects, we shine the spotlight on the potential game-changers ahead of the highly anticipated knockout rounds.