Clubs invincible in their local leagues have found themselves out of depth when pitted against continental rivals. What’s more, the number of clubs putting on a dominant show on both fronts can be counted on one’s finger-tips.

Al Ittihad are, so far, the only outfit to have won both the league silverware as well as making the grade for the knockout phase. The Jeddah giants pipped archrivals Al Hilal of Riyadh to their eighth title.

Gabriel Calderon’s men are also on track for an impressive double after reaching the final of the Saudi King’s Cup against Al Shabab, who finished fourth in the table.

Hilal’s hopes of getting something into their trophy cabinet this season now rest solely on the AFC Champions League into whose knockout stage they secured a spot with ease.

Qatar’s Al Gharafa and Iranian giants Esteghlal may have scooped the domestic honours but found the going tough in the AFC Champions League.

Gharafa’s imperious form in Qatar failed to rub off on their Asia ambitions while Tehran club Esteghlal are struggling to avoid the wooden spoon after three draws and two defeats in five matches.

Conversely, Esteghlal’s derby rivals Piroozi finished fifth in the domestic league and reached the final of the Hazfi Cup but qualified for the last 16 behind Saudi side Al Shabab.

Umm Salal proved to be a study in contrasts. In the Qatari League, they managed to haul themselves upto sixth after a lacklustre start but produced excellent form and confidence in the AFC Champions League for eight points and a place in the elimination stage.

Al Ettifaq’s domestic campaign did not exactly make one sit up and take notice but their continental exertions paid off with a coveted berth in the next phase. The Dammam side was stylish in amassing 12 points from four wins, becoming the third Saudi side to advance deeper into Asia’s club flagship.