Kuwait SC defeated Indian side Dempo SC 3-1 in their one-off last-16 knockout clash while Al Arabi, also from Kuwait, needed extra-time to beat Lebanon’s runners-up from the 2008 competition, Safa, 2-1.

Arbil took the honours in the all-Iraqi contest, recording a 3-1 victory over their compatriots Al Zawra’a, who were officially the home side though the match was played in Dubai.

Uzbekistan’s sole representative in the competition Neftchi eked out a 3-1 penalty-shootout victory away to Syria’s Al Maged after 120 minutes without a goal.

However, lurking ominously is another Syrian outfit, Al Karamah, the former AFC Champions League finalists, who came away from the Riffa Stadium in Bahrain with a 2-1 win over home side Busaiteen.

The three remaining last 16 matches are to be played on June 23.

Hong Kong’s South China are at home to Home United, of Singapore; Thailand’s Chonburi host PSMS Medan, of Indonesia; and Vietnamese side Becamex Binh Duong entertain Malaysian champions Kedah.

The quarter-finals and semi-finals will be home-and-away affairs while the final is a one-off match at the home ground of one of the finalists on November 3.

Kuwait SC, who topped Group D in the first stage, were indebted to Syrian international Jehad Al Hussein, who struck a hat-trick against Group E runners-up Dempo.

For Group C winners Al Arabi, Firas Al Khatib scored the winner in the second period of extra-time to eliminate the Group C runners-up. Nigerian Emmanuel Ezukam had given Al Arabi a 29th-minute lead before Ali Al Saadi equalised for the Lebanese in the 59th minute.

Captain Hassan Abbas was the hero for Al Karamah, the Group D runners-up. His long-range effort with only four minutes left stunned Group A winners Busaiteen, who had earlier equalised in the second half through a Robert Akuraye penalty after Mohamed Al Hamwi had given the visitors a 43rd-minute lead.

Iraqi champions and Group C runners-up Arbil cruised against the Group B second-placed team Al Zawra’a, with Ahmed Salah, Luay Salah and Ahmed Abd Ali scoring before Adnan Atiyah hit a consolation for the vanquished.

In Damascus, Group E winners Al Maged failed to capitalise on their domination as Neftchi held on for 120 minutes before winning the penalty shootout.

Neftchi goalkeeper Yuriy Tsoy saved two penalties to help the Group A runners-up reach the final eight.