Five match days since March have seen 12 teams negotiating a demanding route to the knockout phase, setting up the stage for a final round climax of continental proportions.

The clubs which have already punched their tickets are: Group A - Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan) and Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Group B - Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia) and Piroozi (Iran), Group C - Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia) and Umm Salal (Qatar), Group D - Al Ettifaq (Saudi Arabia), Group E - Nagoya Grampus (Japan), Group F - Gamba Osaka, Group G - Kashima Antlers (Japan), Group H - Kawasaki Frontale (Japan) and Pohang Steelers (Korea Republic).

Group D will see Bunyodkor of Uzbekistan (seven points) and Al Shabab of the UAE (six points) engaged in a winner-takes-second-spot battle at the Jar Stadium in Tashkent.

The scene in Group E is no less intriguing. With China’s Beijing Guoan already out of the frame, the contest has boiled down to Australia’s Newcastle Jets and Korean side Ulsan Hyundai, who lock horns at the Ulsan Munsu Stadium, with the victors rewarded with an elimination round slot.

China’s Shandong Luneng and FC Seoul of Korea are in the fray for second spot in Group F. While Shandong face Indonesia lightweights Sriwijaya, FC Seoul are up against defending champions Gamba. The Chinese side only needs to beat their Indonesian rivals to advance deeper into the tournament, thanks to their head-to-head superiority over FC Seoul.

In Group G, the goals record could come into play with Suwon Bluewings of Korea needing a win over group laggards Singapore Armed Forces to pip China’s Shanghai Shenhua, who play Kashima, to the last 16. The victory margin will have to be the same or more than the one of Shanghai.

Making matters infinitely interesting is the fact that those who have already qualified will be aiming to secure top spots in their respective groups so that they can meet the second-placed teams of the other groups.