Both teams came into their first-ever encounter in the competition on the back of goalless draws in the previous game, with Tractor having also drawn their Matchday One fixture against Pakhtakor and Air Force beaten by group hosts Sharjah on the opening day.

The experienced central defender rose to meet Abdulla Al Karbi’s cross from the right for the club from the United Arab Emirates, who scored three times in the final 24 minutes to overturn a two-goal deficit and pick up their first win of the campaign.

Both are on four points after two matches, with Al Hilal ahead with a better goal difference and a win for either will boost their hopes of winning the group and sealing the sole automatic spot to the Round of 16.

With only a point each to their name, both can't afford to drop more in their Matchday Three encounter at the King Fahd International Stadium if they want to keep pace with Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal SFC and Tajikistan's FC Istiklol.

A five-point lead after three matches would mean a hefty advantage in the race for the solitary automatic slot to the Round of 16 and the Islamic Republic of Iran club will fancy their chances after having defeated Iraq's Al Shorta (3-0) and Al Ahli Saudi FC (5-2).

Al Duhail, meanwhile, will have to beat Esteghlal after the Qatar side conceded a stoppage time equaliser to Al Ahli Saudi FC on Matchday Two, having beaten Al Shorta 2-0 in their opener.

Both sides are still in search of their opening win with Iraq's Al Shorta having succumbed to defeats against Esteghlal FC of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Qatar's Al Duhail SC.

Al Ahli Saudi are in a slightly better position, having salvaged a last gasp draw against Al Duhail on Matchday Two after having succumbed 5-2 to Esteghlal in their opener.

The five groups are now beginning to take shape and, with a number of key games over the coming days, the race for knockout round qualification has well and truly begun.

As fans of Asian football prepare for another round of fiercely contested match-ups, the-AFC.com has picked five things to look out for.