The AFC Champions League 2010 play-offs start on January 30. The two-phase play-offs will pit Al Karamah (Syria) against Al Wahda (UAE) in the West semi-final 1 while Churchill Brothers (India) have a bye in the semi-final 2 to the next stage and meet the winners of the Al Karamah-Al Wahda match in the final.

In the East zone semi-finals, Singapore Armed Forces (Singapore) take on Sriwijaya (Indonesia), and Da Nang (Vietnam) clash with Muangthong United (Thailand). The winners go on to the Final.

The victors in the play-off Final have a berth reserved for them in the tournament proper.

East Zone semi-final 1

Singapore Armed Forces (Singapore)

SAF are the dominant team in Singapore and are looking to once again qualify for the group stages of the AFC Champions League. Last year, they struggled against the elite clubs in the main competition but are desperate for another shot. SAF are eligible for the 2010 ACL play-offs after they were crowned league champions in the S-League.

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Sriwijaya (Indonesia)

Sriwijaya have a second chance to play in the AFC Champions League after earning a direct place in the 2009 competition. This year the South Sumatran club have a place in the play-offs, thanks to their victory in the Indonesian knock-out competition.

East Zone semi-final 2

Da Nang (Vietnam)

Da Nang are Vietnam’s representatives in the 2010 AFC Champions League play-offs after they won their domestic league in 2009, their first league title since 1992. Da Nang played in the 2006 AFC Champions League when they failed to make it past the group stages.

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Muangthong United (Thailand)

Muangthong United are the upstarts of Thai football, winning the Second Division in 2007 and the next year taking the Division One title. They followed it up in 2009 by winning the Thai Premier League, giving them the right to play in the 2010 AFC Champions League play-offs.

West Zone semi-finals

Al Karamah (Syria)

Al Karamah are getting yet another chance to break back into the elite league. Having made the 2006 AFC Champions League final (and losing to Jeonbuk Motors of Korea), the Homs-based side know what is required of them. They are currently leading the Syrian League at the midway stage.

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Al Wahda (UAE)

Al Wahda need no introduction, having graced the AFC Champions League on previous occasions in 2006 and 2008. They have been consistently in the upper reaches of the UAE League over the years and are currently second in the domestic standings.

Asian champions Gamba Osaka started their defence of the trophy with an impressive 3-0 win over Shandong Luneng on Tuesday night.

In Group F’s other match, FC Seoul won 4-2 at the Indonesian home of Sriwijaya.

Gamba took control early against the Chinese champions and never really looked like letting go.

It took the hosts just 20 minutes to break the deadlock.

Latching on to a loose ball after a corner, Brazilian striker Leandro fired home for his second goal in two games since joining the club.

With 20 minutes remaining, Yasuhito Endo slotted home from the spot after Alejandro Cichero handled a Lucas Severino shot.

Eight minutes later, substitute Hayato Sasaki sealed the win.

FC Seoul negotiated a potentially tricky tie in South-east Asia with a, largely comfortable, win over Sriwijaya.

Jung Jo-gook hit the post early on but the striker made no mistake just half hour, firing home from close range after good work from Dejan Damjanovic.

Kim Chi-woo then scored twice after 57 and 67 minutes, lashing the ball home boith times from close range with the goalkeeper nowhere. The international mmidfielder takes his tally to the season to four goals from two games.

Roared on by a passionate home crowd, the Palembang team pulled a goal back on 69 minutes through Claude-Parfait Ngon A Djam. The Cameroon striker then headed home a second four minutes later.

Seoul’s Kim Sung-yung settled a few nerves when floated free-kick found its way into the net with 12 minutes remaining.