Former winners face must-win ties
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Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande entertain Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos on Wednesday needing a win to guarantee a place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League following last week's defeat by Melbourne Victory. |
Defending champions Guangzhou Evergrande as well as former winners Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, Ulsan Hyundai, Al Sadd and Al Hilal are all teetering on the precipice of elimination from the AFC Champions League with Tuesday's final round of fixtures set to produce a mouth-watering series of make-or-break showdowns.
After losing two consecutive continental outings, Guangzhou will entertain Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos with Marcello Lippi's side needing a win to guarantee a return to the Round of 16 for a third consecutive season at the expense of their visitors.
While in Korea Republic, a similar scenario is in place as Jeonbuk face Australia's Melbourne Victory, with all four teams currently level on points in Group G.
"If we lose at home against Yokohama, then it's right that we go out. After losing in Korea and losing in Australia, if we lose at home then we don't deserve to go through," said Lippi after seeing his side lose 2-0 in Melbourne last week.
And Guangzhou, though, will be without defender Liao Lisheng due to suspension against the A-League side.
After seeing a 1-0 lead in Yokohama converted into a 2-1 defeat courtesy of a brace from Manabu Saito, 2006 champions Jeonbuk can only guarantee qualification for the last 16 with victory at home against Melbourne.
Kevin Muscat's side, though, could claim the place in the knockout stages for themselves should they return to Australia with all three points.
In Group H, 2012 winners Ulsan are locked in a three-way battle for the two qualification places with Matchday Six opponents Kawasaki Frontale and Western Sydney Wanderers after losing at home to the A-League side last week.
Ulsan had looked invincible in the opening rounds of the AFC Champions League this season, but have now failed to win in three consecutive fixtures and must hope for a return to winning ways away at Kawasaki on Tuesday.
"We have to go to the next round," said Ulsan coach Cho Min-kook. "We will make every effort to win against Kawasaki."
But if Kawasaki can at least secure a draw from the tie, they will seal their spot in the last 16 ahead of their Korean visitors, while AFC Champions League debutants Western Sydney must defeat already-eliminated Guizhou Renhe to ensure their own place in the knockout stage.
And the Australian club's chances are greatly boosted by the suspensions of Guizhou captain Sun Jihai, playmaker Zvjezdan Misimovic and Zhang Chenglin.
Elsewhere, both 2011 winners Al Sadd and former champions Al Hilal risk elimination in the final round of fixtures in Group D, although both sides will have home advantage on Tuesday.
Al Hilal host a Sepahan side fresh from a 4-0 mauling of Al Sadd on Matchday Five, but know only victory will seal a return to the Round of 16 for a sixth consecutive time, while a draw would be enough to put their visitors from Iran through at their expense.
"Al Hilal were the better side against Al Ahli but we lacked the final touch and we deserved to score but this draw is good for us," said Al Hilal coach Sami Al Jaber after their stalemate with Al Ahli last week.
"We still have a chance to qualify from the group and hopefully we can do this in the last match."
Al Hilal, though, will be without defender Abdulla Al Dossary due to suspension.
Although Qatari side Al Sadd sit bottom of the group, only two points separates them from the top, and they would advance to the Round of 16 with victory over Emirati side Al Ahli who currently hold a tenuous grasp on top spot.
A draw in Dubai, however, would see Al Ahli progress in place of Al Sadd.
Finally in Group C, the situation is much simpler with Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia Al Ittihad having already qualified for the Round of 16.
Instead, the two sides will face-off at Al Ain's Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium to determine the winner of the group.
A draw would be enough for the Emirati club, while Khaled Al Koroni's Al Ittihad must come out victorious despite the suspension of Brazilian midfielder Leandro Bonfim.
And with Iran's Tractorsazi Tabriz and Lekhwiya of Qatar already eliminated, the duo will play for pride and third place at the Yadegar Emam Stadium.
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