The Asian Champions League round of 16 will be played over two days 11/12 May 2010. Below is a preview of the teams and key players.

Al Gharafa (QAT) vs Pakhtakor (UZB)

Al Gharafa
Al Gharaf has shown great consistency this year winning four of their six matches and topping thei group which also included Iranian giants Esteghlal.

Key players – Younes Mahmoud, Clemerson de Araujo

Versus

Pakhtakor
Pakhtakor did it the hard way this year and only just managed to qualify. Although they can consider themselves lucky, maybe luck is on their side this year.

Key players – Odil Ahmedov, Bojan Miladinovic, Temur Juraev

Outlook – Al Gharafa have had a much better year in 2010 and are favourites on performance alone. Pakhtakor’s have a new coach which could also make some difference, it could also be too early for them..

Al Shabab (KSA) vs Esteghlal (IRN)

Al Shabab

Al Shabab managed to top Group C this year after round 6 results fell their way. They will be keen to exploit home turf edge.

Players – Amado Flavio, Marcelo Camacho

Versus

Esteghlal
It will be a difficult trip to the Saudi capital. Esteghlal finished with 11 points this year and only losing 1 game in all. A good performance during the group stages.

Key players – Farhad Majidi, Arash Borhani, Amirhossein Sadeghi

Outlook – Though Al Shabab have home advantage, Esteghlal will be a tough opponent. This will make for a very tight contest that could end in penalties to find a winner..

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (KOR) vs Gamba Osaka (JPN)

Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma
The Koreans achieved five wins and 15 out of a possible 18 points. Their form has placed them as co favourites this year for the continental title.

Key players – Fabricio Souza, Do Nam-kung, Jo Jae-chol

Versus

Gamba Osaka
The 2008 champions had a tough start but never looked like to qualifying.

Key players – Yasuhito Endo, Shoki Hirai and Lucas

Outlook – Both teams are evenly matched. It is anybody’s guess if Seongnam will be able to leverage their full home advantage against a rival like Gamba.

Suwon Bluewings (KOR) vs Beijing Guoan (CHN)

Suwon Bluewings
Suwon achieved 4 wins and a total of 13 points during the group stage. They proved to be one of the strongest teams in the fray.

Key players – Mota, Lee Hyun-jin

Versus

Beijing Guoan
Beiging is China’s only representative team this year and progressed by overcoming Japan’s Kawasaki Frontale and Australia’s Melbourne Victory.

Key players – Joel Griffiths, Saraiva Antonio

Outlook – Suwon are the more experienced of the two teams and playing at home will give them a definite advantage against Beijing, who have had a local Chinese Super League match deferred, giving them more time to prepare. Fans should get their money’s worth.

Zobahan (IRN) vs Mes Kerman (IRN)

Zob Ahan
Zob Ahan were the surprise team this year, topping what was a very difficult group which included fanciful Bunyodkor and the former champions from Saudi Arabia, Al Ittihad.

Key players – Mohammadreza Khalatbari, Hassan Ashjari

Will play against

Mes Kerman
Mes Kerman qualified in round 6, the final round this year by beating Al Hilal of Saudi Arabia. The tough group rounds should give them hope for the next round.er, Bonacic is also an acclaimed tactician.

Key players – Mahdi Rajabzadeh, Luciano

Outlook – This is an all Iran derby and should be a great clash as the teams will know each other well. The fact that this is an external competition to the domestic league should also play a factor in the result.

Al Hilal (KSA) vs Bunyodkor (UZB)

Al Hilal
Al Hilal have once again qualified. This year, their performance was much stronger and more consistent.

Key players – Yasser Al Qahtani, Thiago Neves, Lee Young-pyo, Mirel Radoi

Versus

Bunyodkor
Bunyodkor came with great expectations this year when you consider the Brazilian influence they have had. However a few loses in a row during mid season saw them just qualify this year.

Key players – Rivaldo, Server Djeparov, Anvar Soliev

Outlook – Al Hilal’s consistency this year and their home advantage should prove decisive. However, Bunyodkor have depth and experience in players and personnel that you can’t ignore. This should be a great clash.

Kashima Antlers (JPN) vs Pohang Steelers (KOR)

Kashima Antlers
Not having lost a game this season, Kashima were the team everyone wanted to avoid this round. They managed to also amass the maximum 18 points and have been in great form. Pohang being the 2009 champions will give them a run for their money.

Key players – Mitsuo Ogasawara. Marquinhos, Lee Jung-soo

Versus

Pohang Steelers
As the reigning champions, Pohang Steelers were impressive in their group stage games. They have been gradually improving as well so they will be ready for the do or die clash.

Key players – Kim Jae-sung, Almir Lopes, Mota

Outlook – A clash of coaching styles will see the more conservative, old-school approach up against the element of surprise. A great recipe for fireworks.

Adelaide United (AUS) vs Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR)

Adelaide United
Adelaide United ended top of their group thanks to 3 early wins. Form towards the end of the group stage was a little questionable but a home game will see them get great support.

Key players – Serginho Van Dijk

Versus

Jeonbuk Motors
Jeonbuk had a tough group coming up against 2010 favourites Kashima Antlers.

Players – Jin Kyiung-sun, Oliveira Junior, Choi Tauek

Outlook – This should be a very even game. Adelaide have shown they can score from behind and playing at home would see them as marginal favourites at the moment.