The side from Korea Republic’s early momentum has faded following successive losses at the hands of Sanfrecce Hiroshima as they dropped to third in the table, but with only three points separating the top three sides, there remains all to play for.

A 1-0 win over Sangju Sangmu on Friday, though, made it two wins on the bounce since Daegu’s last game on the Continent as they climbed to third in the K League 1 table.

Graziano Pelle scored the only goal of the game as Shandong saw off Johor Darul Ta’zim to move to the top of Group E two weeks ago. With two games to play, the hosts will also progress with a 1-1 draw or if the game ends goalless.

Shandong, who welcome Dai Lin back from suspension, won their fourth match in a row in all competitions on Saturday as a 2-0 victory over Hebei CFFC moved them to fourth position in the Chinese Super League.

Malaysian champions Johor have picked up just one point from four games in their debut appearance as back-to-back defeats to Group E leaders Shandong Luneng on Matchdays Three and Four moved them closer to the exit door.

Johor, who remained top of their domestic league with a 2-0 victory over Felda United at the weekend, have run all their opponents close so far, but their task is made all the more difficult as star striker Diogo serves a one-match ban.

Esteghlal came into the Matchday Five fixture in the knowledge that only a win could keep their qualification hopes alive, and they started brightly, coming within inches of opening the scoring in the 12th minute.

South African midfielder Ayanda Patosi beat Al Duhail goalkeeper Amine Lecomte with a curled free-kick from 30 yards out. Esteghlal were, however, denied the opener as Patosi’s ball struck the upright.

Al Duhail responded from a similar set-piece through Bassam Al Rawi, but the Qatari international’s strike passed narrowly wide of the post.

Both sides had learnt their fate after a 1-1 draw in the other Monday fixture meant Al Hilal and Al Duhail confirmed their places in the Round of 16 while Al Ain would join Esteghlal in being eliminated at the group stage regardless of remaining results.

The 2018 finalists came into the match needing a victory to boost their hopes of reaching the Round of 16, instead Persepolis were eliminated from the Continental tournament.

The hosts showed their attacking intent from the start, creating their first big chance inside 60 seconds of kick-off. Akram Afif and Xavi exchanged passes down the right and the Spanish midfielder squared the ball for Baghdad Bounedjah who took it first time, but Al Ahli goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais showed quick reflexes to catch the ball.

Jesualdo Ferreira’s side looked to apply high press to regain possession deep into the opposition half. Afif was successful in doing so in the ninth minute, when he dispossessed Saeed Al Muwallad then supplied a perfectly weighted diagonal pass to Ali Asad who controlled then hit on the half-volley with his left past Al Owais for Al Sadd’s first of the night.