Gamba aim to land konckout stage berth
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Defender Akira Kaji (left) helped Japan’s Gamba Osaka share a 1-1 draw with Melbourne Victory in Australia last week to leave the 2007 champions needing to beat China’s Tianjin Teda on Wednesday to be sure of a place in last 16 for a fourth consecutive season. |
Seven teams including former champions Gamba Osaka will be battling for just three places in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League as the group stage heads for a thrilling climax on Wednesday.
Japan's Gamba, who claimed the continental title in 2008, are in pole position to edge out both Jeju and Melbourne and join China's Tianjin Teda in the knockout stage from Group E, while Saudi League champions Al Hilal and Al Gharafa of Qatar are set to face off for the last remaining place in Group A.
Iran's Esteghlal must beat Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr at home to stand a chance of advancing from Group B alongside Qatar's Al Sadd, while home advantage in the one-off last 16 is up for grabs for both J.League champions Nagoya Grampus and Korean counterparts FC Seoul in Group F.
In the East, Tianjin have already secured a berth in the last 16, but need at least a point against Gamba to seal top spot in Group E.
But with Jeju and Melbourne still able to advance to the knockout stage, Akira Nishino's team will also be gunning for all three points at Expo '70 Stadium to join the Chinese Super League side in the last 16.
After winning both home games in the competition, Gamba will be favourites to land the three points which could also secure top spot and home advantage in the last 16 later this month, should Osaka better the 2-1 home win Tianjin recorded in March.
Jeju and Melbourne need to win at Jeju World Cup Stadium to stand a chance of snatching a place in the knockout stage on Matchday Six, but they both must hope Tianjin beat Gamba in Osaka.
Melbourne's cause is boosted by the return of defender Surat Sukha, midfielder Grant Brebner and striker Robbie Kruse, although midfielder Isaka Cernak is ruled out through suspension.
