In UAE, Al Ain and Sharjah are the pacesetters after opening up a two-point lead with their third consecutive victories.

Join the-AFC.com as we review the latest round of domestic action in West Asia.

In Japan, Yokohama F. Marinos have now cut Kawasaki Frontale's lead to just a solitary point after getting back to winning ways with victory over Sanfrecce Hiroshima, while Nagoya Grampus and Mitch Langerak continue to break records.

Elsewhere there was also action in Mongolia, so join the-AFC.com as we review the action from across East Asia.

In Thailand, BG Pathum United warmed up for their 2021 AFC Champions League Round of 16 clash against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors with a win over Ratchaburi FC, while the league campaign came to an end in Malaysia with joy for Kedah.

Elsewhere there were also full sets of fixtures in Singapore and Cambodia, so here's the-AFC.com's review of the latest round of action in ASEAN.

Goals from Bafetimbi Gomis and Salem Al Dawsari secured the 2019 champions a place in the quarter-finals for the fifth time in eight editions. 

Esteghlal, however, were not without chances and the complexion of the match may well have changed had the Islamic Republic of Iran Club pulled one back.

The match pits one of continental club football’s most successful sides up against a team that only made their AFC Champions League debut in the group stage in June as the tournament moves into its one-leg knockout stage format.

While Jeonbuk are aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the ninth time, BG Pathum are looking to become the first Thai side to advance to the last eight since Buriram United in 2013.

The 2014 edition was also the setting of the last time the two sides met in Asian action with the pair facing off in the group stage.

Japan’s Cerezo, who reached the 2011 quarter-finals, are participating in the AFC Champions League for the fourth time and 2009 winners Pohang Steelers of Korea Republic are making their eighth appearance and looking to reach the last eight stage for the third time.

Runners-up in two of the last three editions of the competition, the Iran Pro League champions have travelled to the Tajik capital to face an Istiklol side who emerged as the fairy-tale story of this year’s ACL group stage, pulling off a series of shock wins in their tournament debut in April.

With those heroics in mind, and an excited Dushanbe public ready to welcome ACL knockout stage football for the first time, Golmohammadi said he expects Persepolis to be seriously challenged at Central Republican Stadium.