Japanese football great Shinji Ono retires at 44

Ono was part of the Feyenoord team that beat Borussia Dortmund in the 2002 UEFA Cup final, during a successful four-year stint with the Dutch club.

Nicknamed "Genius", Ono made his international debut as an 18-year-old and played for Japan at the FIFA World Cup in France 1998 two months later.

Over in the East, meanwhile, only the teams from Group J will face off this week as defending champions Urawa Red Diamonds look to continue their recovery from being on the brink of elimination and increase their chances of advancing to the knockout rounds.

Ahead of the games, the-AFC.com has selected five things to look out for.

The UAE side trail leaders FC Nasaf by two points with only the group winners assured of an automatic spot in the Round of 16.

A win will seal Uzbekistan's Nasaf the top spot and a place in the Round of 16 while Al Sadd need the points to keep their hopes of advancing alive.

Air Force Club's Round of 16 hopes were dashed following last week's 1-0 defeat to Sepahan FC while AGMK have failed to find their footing on the continental stage, with no points to show heading into their final match of the season.

Saudi Arabia's Al Ittihad are, irrespective of the result at the King Abdulaziz Sport City, assured of their spot in the Round of 16 while Islamic Republic of Iran's Sepahan need three points to be absolutely sure.

Last week's 2-0 win over Uzbekistan's Navbahor confirmed the four-time Asian champions as the Group D winners but the in-form side will not be satisfied with that.

On 10 points, victory will surely seal Navbahor one of the three Round of 16 spots available for the second-placed teams from the West Zone.