With the East Zone of the 2021 AFC Champions League entering group stage action, two of the eight spots in the Round of 16 are still on offer before the final matches.
The Japanese trio of Cerezo Osaka, Nagoya Grampus and Kawasaki Frontel joined South Korea's defending champions Ulsan Hyundai and compatriot Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors as the first five East Asian teams, although already in the last-16, while Thailand's BG Patham United is also guaranteed progress. One of the three best runner-up runners-up.
Hong Kong's Kichi, Japan's Gamba Osaka and South Korean pair of Pohang Steelers and Daegu FC are currently in second place in four of the five groups for the remaining two places in the draw.
The action in Groups G and J is over, but with a nail-biting final match on offer for the other three groups, we take a look at the teams that will compete for a place in the knockout rounds and what they need to do. needed to ensure progress.
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 ditched deep to come up with a 1-0 win at the Leo Stadium in Pathum Thani.
And with Kichi and Cerezo ending Group J action with a 0-0 draw on Friday, Pathum is sure to advance as their tally can't be better than the three other 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 - Play Pohang Waiting Game
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 - will face an agonizing wait to find out if that tally is good enough to move on as one of the three best-placed runners-up.
Johor Darul Tajim and Ratchaburi Mitra Fol rounded off Group G with four and two points respectively.
Group H - The Gamba have to do everything against an unbeaten Zombuki
As for the Gamba and his hopes of making the round of 16, it all depends on Saturday's game against Jeonbuk at the Mili Stadium in Tashkent.
An unbeaten Jeenbuk cannot be toppled at the top as they enjoy a four-point lead over second-placed Gamba. This means the only chance for the Japanese side to qualify is to score all three points against the South Korean on Saturday and hope to qualify as runners-up.
Kim Sang-sik will be expected to spin his Jeonbuk squad after securing qualification with a 3-1 win over Chiangrai United on match day. Still, it will not be an easy selection for Gamba against the two-time ACL champions.
Gamba will be buoyed by his return against Jembuk in the first fixture as he saved a draw after going down two goals. An 8-1 win in his last outing at Tampines Rovers would also boost Gamba's confidence - in a match he was able to give some rest to the Brazilian trio of Wellington Silva, Patrick and Leandro Pereira.
Now, he will be expected to make a final push against Jeonbuk to remain in contention for the last-16 spot.
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 Frontley, booking it five wins out of five in Group I and a place in the Round of 16.
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.
Daegu, along with Group H runners-up Gamba, are the two sides that have the most work to do in their last match as they are at the bottom of the second-placed teams with nine points. However, unlike the Gamba, Daegu will face United City, whom they beat 7–0 in the first exchange.
South Koreans will be confident of getting the job done again on Sunday, but whether or not they proceed will very well depend on results elsewhere.
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.
As things stand, they have done enough to break in, but both Gamba Osaka and Daegu from Group H and I respectively can overtake them.