In the East Zone, four sides remain in contention for Continental glory, with Shanghai SIPG FC and Urawa Red Diamonds now having until August 12 to submit updated squad details ahead of the first leg of their quarter-final showdown on August 27.

Elsewhere, two-time winners Guangzhou Evergrande FC are set to face reigning champions Kashima Antlers on August 28 and the two hopefuls must finalise their respective squad lists by August 13.

Zobahan, who are in pre-season training, will face Al Ittihad on August 5 and 13 and Mansourian said his players are working hard to ensure they will be ready.

It will be a changed Zobahan side from the one that played in the 2018 AFC Champions League with several players having departed and new faces brought in.

The Austrian forward will be tasked helping fire the Chinese Super League side to their first AFC Champions League title and, if he can do so, he would join a list of players who have gone on to lift the coveted trophy.

The 35-year-old Jiménez makes a return to West Asia after transferring from his boyhood club Palestino, where he scored a vital goal to secure the 2019 Copa Chile in the final against Audax Italiano.

While Al Duhail have been based in the Portuguese city of Portimao since July 1, Al Sadd reported for training in Doha on July 7.

Qatari champions Al Sadd will have a new head coach in the dugout with Spain and Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez having been announced as the man in charge at the end of the 2018-19 season.

No team has won consecutive titles since Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad managed the feat in 2004 and 2005, but Oiwa believes his team has the right mindset to be the first side in 14 years to achieve that momentous milestone.

“We are trying to win back-to-back AFC Champions League titles and we are going into the matches with confidence,” Oiwa told the-AFC.com.

“We’ve changed some players, we have some young players who have grown and gone to a higher level. I’m sure we can win the title again. That’s the feeling within the team, that we have the power to do it.”

The Austrian scored 22 goals in 65 appearances in two seasons at the Hammers, but has been linked with a move to China since January.