The 67-year-old coach vacates the post just five months after taking charge of the UAE national team last July, replacing Ivan Jovanović.

Colombian Pinto led UAE in three friendly matches during his tenure where they lost against Uzbekistan and Bahrain and defeated Tajikistan in November.

With FC Seoul falling to a 3-1 defeat at Beijing FC, both sides went into the game knowing triumph at Jassim bin Hamad Stadium would put the winners within three points of reaching the knock-out stages.

The Chinese side stand on the brink of the knockout stage after accruing nine points, with third-placed Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who are five points further back, the only team who can still change the Group H qualification make-up.

Shanghai SIPG have it all to play for at Al Janoub Stadium, but Sydney FC will be competing for pride only after suffering back to back defeats in their two prior outings in Doha, and Pereira is eager to ensure his side don’t fall victim to an upset.

With Vissel Kobe having secured their place in the next round a week earlier, the two sides know their second head-to-head clash will be vital for their chances of staying in Doha beyond the group stage.

And while Suwon Samsung Bluewings still have a game against Group G leaders Vissel Kobe three days later, meaning a draw on Tuesday still keeps their hopes alive and in their own hands, Guangzhou Evergrande know any result other than the three points leaves their fate at the mercy of the Korean side.

Joint group leaders alongside Shanghai SIPG on nine points, the 2019 J1 League champions hold a handsome five-point advantage on third-placed Jeonbuk, meaning their progression will be secure even with a draw at the Al Janoub Stadium.

But head coach Angle Postecoglou has never been known to approach games looking for any other than three points, and the former Australia boss declared he was excited about the 90 minutes ahead.

The Chinese side had won the previous encounter between the two teams nine days ago, with Fernando and A Lan getting on the scoresheet with veteran Park Chu-young’s penalty serving only as a consolation for FC Seoul.

Kensuke Nagai’s srike put Tokyo ahead in the opening minute, but Yoon levelled the tie with a sublime free-kick on the stroke of half-time, then added an 85th-minute winner as Ulsan provided late fireworks for the third time in a week.

With 13 points from five matches, Ulsan cannot be caught at the top of the group standings, but FC Tokyo, on seven, find themselves in a precarious position, with the Japanese club now sweating on the result between Perth Glory and Shanghai Shenhua to see if they will retain second place on the table going into Thursday’s final Matchday.