Race for ACL R16: five slots, 10 teams
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...AFC – KUALA LUMPUR, Match Day 5 of the AFC Champions League 2010 ended with a total of 11 teams taking their places in the Round of 16.
There are five remaining slots for the one-off knockout matches on May 11 and 12. The-afc.com takes a look at which teams are in the running for the vacant lots and the clashes that could light up Match Day 6 on April 27 and 28.
All groups, except Group C, have at least one qualifier after five rounds. Here is a list of teams who have already qualified.
Group A – Esteghlal (Iran), Al Gharafa (Qatar)
Group B – Zobahan (Iran)
Group D – Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
Group E – Seongnam Ilhwa (Korea Republic)
Group F – Kashima Antlers (Japan), Jeonbuk Motors (Korea Republic)
Group G – Gamba Osaka (Japan), Suwon Bluewings (Korea Republic)
Group H – Adelaide United (Australia), Pohang Steelers (Korea Republic)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Group B
Qualified: Zobahan (Iran)
In the running: Al Ittihad (Saudi Arabia), Bunyodkor (Uzbekistan)
THE battle is now between two-time champions Al Ittihad, of Saudi Arabia, and Uzbekistan’s Bunyodkor for the right to join Iran’s Zobahan in the Round of 16.
The Saudis are still in control of their own hopes, needing to beat Zobahan away on MD6 to qualify. Bunyodkor, though, must win against UAE’s Al Wahda at home and hope Ittihad slip up if they are to progress.
Zobahan’s incentive for beating Ittihad is top place in the group, which earns them home status for the one-off Round of 16 match.
| Standings | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| Zobahan (IRN) | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| Al Ittihad (KSA) | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 8 |
| Bunyodkor (UZB) | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 7 |
| Al Wahda (UAE) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 9 | 3 |
Group C
Qualified: none
In the running: Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), Sepahan (Iran), Al Shabab (Saudi Arabia)
IT IS rare that a group remains wide open with only one round remaining but that is the case with Group C, in which three teams can still qualify.
Pakhtakor lead with nine points, one ahead of Sepahan with Shabab on seven.
They travel to Shabab on MD6 in a make-or-break clash for both teams, though the Uzbeks could still lose and qualify if Sepahan fail to beat Al Ain.
For their part, Sepahan need only a draw to ensure a top-two place.
| Standings | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| Pakhtakor (UZB) | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Sepahan (IRN) | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| Al Shabab (KSA) | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 7 |
| Al Ain (UAE) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 4 |
Group D
Qualified: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)
In the running: Al Sadd (Qatar), Mes Kerman (Iran), Al Ahli (UAE)
SADD, on seven points, and Mes on six, face a scrap to join Al Hilal (11 points) in the last 16. Sadd appear to have the easier task with a home match against UAE’s Al Ahli, who they beat 5-0 away on MD2.
Mes need to defeat Hilal at home and hope Sadd slip up if they are to qualify. Hilal are already guaranteed top spot.
Al Ahli have a outside chance of qualifying. They must beat Sadd by at least six goals and hope Hilal beat Mes.
| Standings | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| Al Hilal (KSA) | 5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 11 |
| Al Sadd (QAT) | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Mes Kerman (IRN) | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 12 | 6 |
| Al Ahli (UAE) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 4 |
Group E
Qualified: Seongnam Ilhwa (Korea Republic)
In the running: Beijing Guoan (China), Kawasaki Frontale (Japan)
Beijing take on Kawasaki at home on MD6 needing only a draw to finish second while the Japanese side need nothing short of victory.
Seongnam have secured first place and can afford to take it easy against Australia’s Melbourne Victory.
| Standings | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
| Seongnam Ilhwa (KOR) | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| Beijing Guoan (CHN) | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Kawasaki Frontale (JPN) | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Melbourne Victory (AUS) | 5 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 4 |
