East Zone of the 2021 AFC Champions League is entering a phase of do or die group stage action, with only one of eight places in the Round of 16 still offered before Sunday's final four matches.
The Japanese trio of Cerezo Osaka, Nagoya Grampus and Kawasaki Frontel joined defending champions Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea and compatriot Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as the first five East Asian teams in the last-16, before BG Patham United and Pohang Steelers also joined achieved your progress. as two of the three best runners-up.
With Gamba Osaka now out of the race, this means that final place will be taken by either South Korean outfit Daegu FC or Hong Kong's Kichi, who are currently second in Groups I and J respectively.
Ahead of Sunday's final matches in Group F and I, we take a look at how the qualified teams booked their last-16 berths, as well as the situation for Daegu and Kichi.
Group F - Pathum United lead with one game
The expanded Champions League began with much optimism for Southeast Asia. The region had a record nine clubs from five countries – Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines – in the group stages, but only one would advance to the Round of 16.
BG Pathum United have 12 points and one game left. The Rabbits had their chances of a knockout by one of ASEAN's neighbors Kaya FC-Iloilo almost ruined in their final match on Thursday, but dug deeper to come up with a 1-0 win at the Leo Stadium in Pathum Thani.
And with Kichi and Cerezo ending Group J's action with a 0-0 draw on Friday, Pathum is now certain to advance as their tally cannot be bettered by the other three contenders.
Defending champion Ulsan, who is Pathum's next opponent, leads the group with 15 points and is guaranteed a berth even if they come second.
Group G - Pohang proceeds after a nervous wait
With Group G action ending, Nagoya won it with 16 points, but the final day's draw against Pohang saw them become the fifth team in the history of the competition to win all six group-stage matches.
Meanwhile, Pohang - on 11 points - basically faced a nervous wait to find out if this match would be enough to move on as one of the three best-placed runners-up, although better than the Gamba. Failing to do so proved to be the case. Saturday haul.
Johor Darul Tajim and Ratchaburi Mitra Fol rounded off Group G with four and two points respectively.
Group H - Loss to Jombuk ends Gamba's charge
For the Gamba and for their hopes of making the round of 16, it all came down to Saturday's game against Jeonbuk at the Mili Stadium in Tashkent.
Jeonbuk was in no danger of being knocked out at the top as they took a four-point lead over Gamba before their final match, meaning the Japanese side's only chance to qualify was on Saturday with all three points against the South Koreans. Had to receive and expect. To qualify as runner-up.
Despite the high stakes on offer, Gamba produced a lackluster performance and a 2–1 defeat ended their qualification hopes.
Group I - Defeat to Kawasaki Frontel cut Daegu's chances
Daegu went into their final group fixture in hopes of leveling the points with group leaders Kawasaki Frontley. However, it did not operate to a 3–1 win as Frontel, making it five out of five wins and a place in the Round of 16 in Group I.
The defeat left Daegu with only nine points and a win against United City of the Philippines was needed on the final match day to boost last-16 hopes.
The K Ligue 1 outfit currently sits outside the qualification places, but coming up against United City, which they beat 7-0 in their first exchange, the South Korean will be confident of getting things done again on Sunday.
The equation for Daegu is simple enough: Win and they're through it.
Group J - Kitchi will have to wait to make history for Hong Kong
It has been a commendable performance from Kichi on his return to Asia's premier club competition after a two-season hiatus. From finishing at the bottom of the pile in the ACL 2018 to finishing second in their group in the 2021 edition, the Bluebirds have certainly taken a step back on their return to Asia.
Nonetheless, a 0–0 draw with Cerezo Osaka in the final match required other results to go their way if they advanced as one of the best three runners-up.
Half the job is done courtesy of Gamba's failure, but Daegu can still overtake them from Group I.