With Urawa Red waiting in the quarter-final draw with a bye, fellow countrymen Gamba Osaka, Syrian champions Al Karama and Kuwaiti giants Al Qadsia all go into the decisive matches needing just a point to join the defending champions, while a home win over Kuwait SC will send Saipa through.

Most noteworthy among the leading pack are Al Karama, who retained the Syrian league title on Saturday with three rounds to spare despite a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Al Futowa. Winning their third domestic crown came as a massive boost for coach Mohamed Kwid’s ambitious team, who remain intent on challenging for honours on both the domestic and continental fronts.

They have certainly been impressing on the Asian stage so far and currently lead their pool with ten points, thanks partly to a 4-1 opening victory over the second-placed Al Wahda. Such results have ensured that a draw against their Emirati rivals on Wednesday should be enough to seal Al Karama’s place in the quarter-finals.

In Group D, Uzbekistani heavyweights Pakhtakor are the only remaining hurdle that Al Qadisia must overcome en route to last eight. The undefeated Kuwaiti outfit currently lead their closest challengers by three points and with two games remaining, a point against the Tashkent-based side will establish an unassailable lead for Qadisia in the section.

In what looked on paper to be one of the toughest sections, Gamba Osaka are dominating, with the Japanese side perched above the likes of Chunnam Dragons of Korea Republic and Aussies Melbourne Victory, already eliminated from the competition after a disappointing showing. Osaka will now travel to Bangkok to play Chonburi, who surprisingly held Chunnam Dragons to a 2-2 draw in the last match to keep their faint hopes alive. However, with Osaka holding a five-point lead over their Thai opponents, a draw will be enough to see them through.

Chasing Saipa in Group B, meanwhile, are Kuwait SC and Iraqis Al Quwa Al Jawiya, who are hoping to reverse their three-point deficit against the Iranian leaders with a much-needed victory. It is crunch time for the Kuwaiti hopefuls as a win against Saipa will pull them back on track, while defeat will take Ali Daei’s team through to the knockout stage. At the same time, Al Quwa Al Jawiya’s destiny depends on them not only defeating Al Wasl, but also on Saipa dropping points.

Coach Hamid Salman said: "We will unquestionably do our utmost to remain in contention in the group. If we beat Al Wasl and Al Kuwait, we will have a great opportunity to progress".

Guoan going for goals
While nothing is impossible in football, it often requires a never-say-die spirit and confidence in one’s ability to realise unlikely dreams. For Beijing Gouan, who avenged their 1-0 away defeat against Kashima Antlers with an identical home win in the last game to move level on points, they must still believe they can overcome a hefty goal difference deficit of ten if they are to qualify. Kashima’s superior record isn’t, however, troubling Guoan’s Korean coach Lee Sang Soo, who vowed his side will not only collect maximum points but will significantly bolster their own goal tally when they face Vietnam’s Nam Dinh on Wednesday.

"Krung Thai Bank thrashed Nam Dinh 9-1 in the last game, so why can’t we score 11 goals past them?" Lee asked the local press. "A double-digit win will largely reduce the disparity with Kashima."

Also locking horns with a Vietnamese side are Guoan’s fellow Chinese representatives Changchun Yatai, who face a must-win against Binh Duong to keep pressure on leaders Adelaide United, who play host Pohang Steelers.

Elsewhere, Group A remains the most open, with three teams still in contention; dark horses Kuruvchi leading close rivals Saudi giants Al Ittihad and Sepahan by three points. For Al Ittihad’s Argentine coach Gabriel Calderon, Wednesday’s away match against Kuruvchi provides them with the ideal opportunity to take the group’s driving seat.

"We are well prepared for this match," said the newly-appointed tactician. "It is very important for us, and hopefully we can get a win to go back to the top place in the group."

2008 AFC Champions League matchday 5 fixtures:
Wednesday 7 May

Group A: Kuruvchi FC (Uzbekistan) - Al Ittihad FC (Saudi Arabia); Al Ittihad (Syria) - Sepahan (Iran)

Group B: Saipa (Iran) - Kuwait SC (Kuwait); Al Quwa Al Jawiya (Iraq) - Al Wasl (UAE)

Group C: Al Wahda (UAE) - Al Karama (Syria); Al Ahli (Saudi Arabia) - Al Sadd (Qatar)

Group D: Al Gharafa (Qatar) - Arbil (Iraq); Al Qadsia(Kuwait) - Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan)

Group E: Adelaide United (Australia) - Pohang Steelers (Korea Republic); Binh Duong (Vietnam) - Changchun Yatai (China)

Group F: Beijing Guoan (China) - Nam Dinh (Vietnam); Kashima Antlers (Japan) - Krung Thai Bank (Thailand)

Group G: Chonburi (Thailand) - Gamba Osaka (Japan); Chunnam Dragons (Korea Republic) - Melbourne Victory (Australia)