Former continental champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Korea Republic and Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia as well as China's Jiangsu FC, J.League side FC Tokyo, Uzbekistan's Lokomotiv and Al Nasr of the United Arab Emirates are in the running for the final four remaining places in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League on Wednesday.
Jiangsu currently occupy second spot in Group E and sit just a point behind table-topping hosts Jeonbuk after defeating Vietnam's Becamex Binh Duong 3-0 a fortnight ago, but FC Tokyo are only point behind heading into the final Matchday.
Victory over 2006 winners Jeonbuk would ensure Dan Petrescu's Jiangsu top the group, while matching or bettering FC Tokyo's result against already-eliminated Binh Duong would also take the Chinese Super League side through.
WEDNESDAY 4 May
Group A
Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan v Al Ittihad
Lokomotiv v Al Nasr
Group B
Al Nassr v Zobahan
Lekhwiya v Bunyodkor
Group E
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors v Jiangsu FC
Becamex Binh Duong v FC Tokyo
Group F
Sanfrecce Hiroshima v FC Seoul
Buriram United v Shandong Luneng FC
A draw or a win for FC Tokyo in Vietnam, meanwhile, would ensure the Japanese club make a second appearance in the Round of 16.
“In our next game we play away against Jeonbuk. It is going to be extremely difficult as they are the Korean champions,” said Petrescu, who will be without defender Li Ang due to suspension.
“We could qualify for the Round of 16 if we win, but if we lose, we will have to see what happens between FC Tokyo and Binh Duong.”
Jeonbuk midfielder Kim Bo-kyung and forward Ricardo Lopes will be absent from the match at Jeonju World Cup Stadium due to suspension, while in the tie at Binh Duong Stadium, Le Tan Tai is ruled out for the hosts.
Elsewhere, two-time AFC Champions League winners Al Ittihad, Lokomotiv and Al Nasr will all have their parts to play in the concluding ties in Group A.
Al Ittihad are currently are two points adrift of second place and must beat already-eliminated Sepahan of Iran and hope that either Lokomotiv and Al Nasr claim victory in Tashkent.
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Goalkeeper Mohammad Al Nahedh is suspended for Al Ittihad as is Sepahan striker Luciano Pereira.
A draw in Uzbekistan between Lokomotiv and Al Nasr would be enough to see side into the last 16 with the victor also securing first place.
Lokomotiv will, though, will be without Georgia midfielder Kakhi Makharadze due to suspension.
“We will play for a win in the last match in order to maintain our unbeaten run in the competition and finish on top of the group,” said Lokomotiv coach Andrey Miklyaev.
Also in the West, with Group B's representatives in the last 16 already decided, group winners Zobahan of Iran take on third-placed side Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia, while runners-up Lekhwiya of Qatar host bottom side Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan.
And the scenario is similar in Group F with table toppers FC Seoul of Korea Republic, having already assured their place in the Round of 16, travelling to Japan to face Sanfrecce Hiroshima while Buriram United of Thailand entertain Shandong Luneng with the Chinese side also alreasy secured of a place in the last 16.
Photo: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com