With Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors having confirmed top spot after defeating Chiangrai United 3-1 in Wednesday's late match, Gamba Osaka's knockout stage fate now depends on the Japanese side advancing as one of the three best runners-up from the East zone.

Tampines Rovers, meanwhile, put in a tenacious performance having lost their previous two games against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors with a combined 13 goals to none and were rewarded with their first-ever AFC Champions League goal with Daniel Bennett finding the back of the net in the 27th minute.

Greater quality in front of goal proved decisive for Kim Sang-sik’s side, with Modou Barrow and Park Jin-seong both scoring terrific goals, while opposing goalkeeper Apirak Worawong deflected the ball into his own net off Hong Jeong-ho's free-kick as Jeonbuk raced clear before half-time.

While the Korean side can now look ahead to September’s knockout stage, Wednesday’s result was the knockout blow for Chiangrai, who are now guaranteed to finish third in the group despite Bill’s successful 68th-minute penalty kick.

The result meant Malaysia's Johor Darul Ta'zim finished third on four points, two ahead of Ratchaburi of Thailand. Nagoya Grampus of Japan won the group to seal their place in the Round of 16 while Korea Republic side Poahng Steelers will have to wait to know whether they will advance into the knockout stage as one of the three best runners-up.

Boris Tashchy's equaliser denied Group G winners Nagoya their sixth consecutive victory and it is a result which means Pohang may yet make it to the Round of 16 as one of the three best runners-up.

With their group stage campaign over, Pohang must however wait for the final standings of the remaining four groups while Nagoya can start planning for the knockout stage.

Ulsan Hyundai FC lead Group F on 12 points, with BG Pathum United - three behind in second place - facing a must-win situation against already eliminated Kaya FC-Iloilo if they are to keep pace with the defending champions in the race to finish top and seal the sole automatic spot in the Round of 16.

Ulsan, who are on a 13-match winning streak in the AFC Champions League, lead Group F with 12 points and a win on Thursday will keep them in the driver's seat to book a place in the Round of 16. Thailand's BG Pathum United are second on nine points while Viettel are no longer in contention for a place in the knockout stage with just three points to their name.

Kawasaki beat the Korean outfit 3-2 back on Matchday One, with both teams piling on goals and wins ever since to ensure the three-point lead established by Toru Oniki’s side back then remains in place going into each side's penultimate match in the group.

That means Daegu will have the chance to leapfrog the reigning J1 League champions into the group leadership at Bunyodkor Stadium, putting themselves into an exceptionally strong position to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time in the process .