Kuala Lumpur: Hot on the heels of the first legs of the 2019 AFC Champions League Round of 16 fixtures, the eight remaining sides in the East Zone will reconvene for the return meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Holders Kashima Antlers, Guangzhou Evergrande and Ulsan Hyundai all take slim leads into the second legs, while the tie between Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors and Shanghai SIPG is still firmly in the balance.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) v Kashima Antlers (JPN)
After suffering their first defeat since Matchday One, Sanfrecce Hiroshima will have to overhaul a one-goal deficit against defending champions Kashima Antlers on Tuesday if they are to progress to the quarter-finals for the first time.
Serginho’s first-half goal was enough to claim a 1-0 win for the hosts at Kashima Soccer Stadium in a largely even contest before Sanfrecce’s Sho Inagaki was dismissed late on for a second bookable offence.
But Sanfrecce will go into the game with confidence having won all three of their home fixtures so far in the 2019 competition ahead of a match that remains tantalisingly poised.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima (JPN) vs Kashima Antlers (JPN)
Venue: Hiroshima Athletic Stadium, Hiroshima
Kick-off: June 25, 19:00 UTC+9
Shandong Luneng (CHN) v Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
Two-time AFC Champions League winners Guangzhou Evergrande will take a slender one-goal advantage into the second leg against Shandong Luneng following a hard fought 2-1 win in the first leg.
With the game level at the 80-minute mark, the unfortunate Zheng Zheng put the ball into his own net to hand Guangzhou a late winner at Tianhe Stadium in a match where there was little to separate the sides.
Guangzhou travel north to Jinan looking to avoid being eliminated by Chinese opposition for the third successive year, while Shandong are aiming to make the last eight for the third time.
Shandong Luneng (CHN) vs Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN)
Venue: Jinan Olympic Sports Centre, Jinan
Kick-off: June 25, 19:30 UTC+8
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) v Shanghai SIPG (CHN)
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors will start the second leg of the 2019 AFC Champions League last 16 with a slight advantage over Shanghai SIPG after the sides played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg.
A goalless draw for Jeonbuk would ensure they progress to the last eight for the ninth time after Moon Seon-min’s strike inside the first minute in Shanghai gave them a valuable away goal.
Shanghai, who are targeting a third appearance in the quarter-finals, must score and will be looking to avenge a 5-0 defeat on their last visit to Jeonju when Jeonbuk eliminated them in the last eight en route to winning the 2016 title.
Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR) v Shanghai SIPG (CHN)
Venue: Jeonju World Cup Stadium, Jeonju
Kick-off: June 26, 19:00 UTC+9
Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) v Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
Ulsan Hyundai will progress to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since winning the competition in 2012 if they avoid defeat at home to two-time winners Urawa Red Diamonds.
Hwang Il-su’s strike 10 minutes from time gave the K League side a 2-1 win in Japan to ensure they were the only team in the East Zone to claim an away victory in the four first-leg fixtures.
The hosts go into the game having won all three of their home fixtures without conceding, while Urawa have the unfortunate record of having lost their last six matches in Korea Republic in a run stretching back to 2013.
Ulsan Hyundai (KOR) vs Urawa Red Diamonds (JPN)
Venue: Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium, Ulsan
Kick-off: June 26, 20:00 UTC+9
Source: the-afc.com