The Japanese and South Korean teams in the Asian Champions League are favorites to progress to the second round of the competition, with the penultimate games of the group stage taking place this week, but the two Australian clubs are refusing to give up.
The four east Asian groups are the most finely balanced with two rounds of games to go in the group stage.
Of the 16 teams among the east Asian groups, only Jeonbuk Motors of South Korea has more than seven points from four games. The 2006 winner can book its place in the second round with a win at Shandong Luneng of China in Group G.
Japanese teams have bounced back well after being unable to play domestic matches for six weeks due to the earthquake of March 11.
Nagoya Grampus tops Group F and is perhaps the best placed. If the Japanese champions defeat Hangzhou Greentown of China at home, and second-placed Seoul wins against Al Ain then those top two will continue to the second round.
Seoul is without a coach since the resignation of Hwangbo Kwan on April 25 following just one win in seven games to start the new K-League season. Assistant Choi Yong-soo is in temporary command.
''This is the 28th season of the club but we never sacked any coach,'' said Seoul chief executive Han Woong-soo. ''Everyone agreed however that we need a change.''
''At the moment we do not have any idea about the new coach. Choi is an experienced coach and I believe he can take care of the team well.''
In Group H, another Korean-Japanese combination will advance if both Suwon Bluewings and Kashima Antlers win at home. Kashima hosts bottom club Shanghai Shenhua while Suwon welcomes Sydney.
Sydney looked down and out after collecting just two points in the opening three games but bounced back to win 3-2 at Shanghai in the last round. The A-League team has five points, one less than both Kashima and Suwon.
''You have three teams vying for the top spot. We know what we have to do,'' said Sydney captain Terry McFlynn. ''We have identified Suwon's physical attributes as one of their strengths. If we focus on what we can do and our mentality is right then we fear no one.
''With them being at home, the onus is on them to come out in front of their home fans. We expect them to start quickly and we'll have to counteract that and stamp our own authority on the game.''
Australia's other representative Melbourne Victory also picked up a first and much-needed victory at home to Group E leaders Tianjin Teda. Melbourne is still bottom but is just three points behind the Chinese team and will be aiming for another three points when it hosts second-placed Gamba Osaka.
The Victory will also be keen to avenge a 5-1 defeat by Gamba in March. Melbourne will be without the suspended trio of Surat Sukha, Grant Brebner and Robbie Kruse.
''The cards were very disappointing as I didn't think they were yellow cards,'' said Melbourne's caretaker coach Mehmet Durakovic.
''Losing those players does not help, as they have been first choices but we have a good mix of experience and youth in the squad. It is a difficult task and we know how good Gamba are but the boys have taken a lot out of the win and we are hoping to get revenge for that loss in Osaka.''
On the western side of the tournament, 2009 tournament runner-up Al Ittihad is the only team already in the last 16. The Saudi Arabian giant has collected ten points to lead Group C while Qatar's Al Sadd can progress with a tie at home to Esteghlal of Iran.
Iran's Zob Ahan, losing finalist last season, just needs a point to progress from Group D while in Group A, Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia and Foolad of Iran are both five points clear of Al Gharafa in third place and just need two points each from their final two games.
