The Japanese side put on an impressive display when the two teams met at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday. Kyogo Furuhashi scored in the same net either side of the halftime break before late goals from Douglas and Andres Iniesta sealed a 3-1 win for Vissel Kobe.

A 1-0 win against Suwon Samsung Bluewings in February, coupled with Johor Darul Ta’zim withdrawing from the competition, meant head coach Atsuhiro Miura’s side advanced to the knockout stage on their Continental debut, securing a top-two place in Group G.

Qualification places are up for grabs in tightly contested groups as 12 of the 15 sides in the East square off for the second time this year. With six matches set to be played over two days, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for in the upcoming round of fixtures.

Doha: Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors' Song Beom-keun has been voted by the fans as the 2020 AFC Champions League (East) Toyota Player of the Week after the goalkeeper's phenomenal performance against Sydney FC on Wednesday.

The recently turned 23-year-old custodian was in superlative form making eight saves as he kept a cleansheet to help the Korean champions secure a vital three points in the Group H clash.

Long before their participation in Asian competition, clubs from Central Asia had developed a proud and passionate football culture. Clubs from the region played, and regularly beat, some of the most famous names in Soviet football, and the tradition has continued with some of the continent’s outstanding players emerging from the region.

But which club stirs the passion like no other? Taking into consideration factors such as on-field success and off-field interest, we have selected 10 clubs from four nations. It is now up to you to vote for your favourite club.

Thirty-two players from all five of the AFC's Zones began the contest more than six weeks ago and that number has now been whittled down to just two as fans voted in their masses to help Ashfaq and Chan reach the showpiece event.

The final pits South Asia against East Asia as Maldivian superstar Ashfaq's superb solo goal for Male side New Radiant in 2013 goes up against a wonderful strike by Chan for Hong Kong's South China AA in 2013.

In a showdown between arguably the biggest talents in their respective countries, Malaysian Safawi - currently on loan at Portuguese side Portimonense - polled 70 percent of the votes against Vietnamese sensation Quang Hai.