JDT currently sit bottom of the standings – one point behind their opponents at Changwon Football Center and three adrift of second-placed Kashima Antlers – but can go through if they win and holders Kashima lose at home to group winners Shandong Luneng.

While the scenario may be unlikely and qualification is out of JDT’s hands, the tournament debutants travel to Korea Republic with confidence having produced a major upset in defeating the defending champions 1-0 two weeks ago following Syafiq Ahmad's second-half strike.

For Gyeongnam FC of Korea Republic and Malaysia's JDT it can be said that their maiden AFC Champions League campaigns have already been a successful experience.

The two sides have registered first ever wins in the Continental competition - both of which were over the defending champions - and have convincingly shown they have been able to make the step up to compete with Asia's elite.

On Matchday Six, they have the potential to make a good campaign a great one with a chance to grab a place in the knockout stage.

A Group Stage campaign of two halves sees AFC Champions League holders Kashima Antlers in a potential precarious situation when they host Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng at Kashima Soccer Stadium on Matchday Six.

The J.League club tallied two wins and a draw from the opening three matches in Group E, but back-to-back defeats to Gyeongnam FC and Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) now sees their Round of 16 destiny awaiting the final round of games.

A point or more in Ibaraki will, however, prove enough to join Shandong in the last 16, but defeat to their unbeaten guests would allow the victors of the tie between Gyeongnam and JDT to leapfrog them into second place.

Three years ago, Guangzhou Evergrande were eliminated from the Group Stage of the 2016 AFC Champions League in stunning circumstance as the defending champions crashed out.

Kashima Antlers, winners of the 2018 title, are determined to avoid a similar fate.

They will need to ensure they get at least a point at home to Group E winners Shandong to avoid being overtaken by Gyeongnam FC or Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT), who play in the other Wednesday tie.

Kim scored the third goal against the Chinese Super League team on Matchday Two as tournament debutants Daegu claimed a 3-1 victory and underlined their status as genuine qualification contenders with the scalp of the two-time champions.

Just over two months on and Daegu travel to Tianhe Stadium two points ahead of their hosts in the battle for the group’s runners-up spot and knowing if they avoid defeat, a place in the last 16 will be theirs.

With a win guaranteeing Shanghai a place in the knockout stage, Oscar opened the scoring at the Shanghai Stadium after just seven minutes before doubling the home side’s lead just before half-time.

Kazuki Nagasawa, a first-half sub for the injured Yosuke Kashiwagi, ignited the Reds by scoring the opener and assisting Yuki Muto for the second before half-time. Shinzo Koroki ensured all three points with a late third for Urawa, who punched the second ticket out of Group G into the Round of 16.