Adelaide United will be focusing its speed to overcome Korean Jeonbuk Motors and progress through to the quarter-finals of the AFC Champions League.
Adelaide’s ACL interim head coach Joe Mullen “We see it as a bit of advantage for us, that we have got quick players in our front third,” Mullen said.
“We know we need to score goals to win games, especially in a knockout game, goals are going to be paramount so we needed to work on our offensive movement in the front third.”
Central midfielder Paul Reid remains in doubt …

Adelaide United V Jeonbuk FC (2 – 3) (FT)
Kashima Antlers V Pohang Steelers (0 – 1) (FT)
Zob Ahan V Mes Kerman (1 – 0) (FT)
Al Hilal V Bunyodkor Tashkent (3 – 0) (FT)

Suwon Bluewings V Beijing Guoan (2 – 0) (FT)
Seongnam Ilhwa V Gamba Osaka (3 – 0) (FT)
Al-Garrafa V Pakhtakor Tashkent (1 – 0) (FT)
Al Shabab V Esteghlal (3 – 2) (FT)

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.

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.

Adelaide United FC will host Korean club Jeonbuk Motors in the Round of 16 at Hindmarsh Stadium on Wednesday, May 12 after the final standings of Group F were decided in the closing Match Day of the AFC Champions League 2010 Group Stage.

Jeonbuk Motors will be the Reds’ opponents in the one-off sudden death encounter after they finished runners-up of Group F following a 2-1 defeat to Japan’s Kashima Antlers in Kashima.

The AFC has sent its congratulations to the all clubs that have successfully qualified for the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League. The playoffs will be played over two days, starting on 11 May and finishing on 12 May. The round of 16 is a one off game, played either home or away depending on your final standing after the 6 Group games (ie there is no return leg).

Final teams were: Al Gharafa (QAT), Pakhtakor (UZB), Al Shabab (KSA), Esteghlal (IRN), Seongnam Ilhwa (KOR), Gamba Osaka (JPN), Suwon Bluewings (KOR), Beijing Guoan (CHN), Zobahan (IRN), Mes Kerman (IRN), Al Hilal (KSA), Bunyodkor (UZB), Kashima Antlers (JPN), Pohang Steelers (KOR), Adelaide United (AUS) and Jeonbuk Motors (KOR).

Group F had already been decided before today’s play, with Kashima Antlers and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors having already qualified for the second round. The two met today to settle who would qualify in top spot and meet Pohang Steelers in the knockout stage.
Kashima Antlers 2–1 Jeonbuk FC
Kashima boss Oswaldo Oliveira signaled his objective in the pre-match press conference that his team was not looking for a draw, despite only needing not to lose to earn the all important advantage of “playing at home next round.”
The Antlers went 2 – 0 …

Denilson made all the difference for Luiz Felipe Scolari’s Bunyodkor, ensuring his side made it into the knockout stages.
The Uzbek champions need to win and hope that Zob Ahan also won in order to progress. It turned out that way and now they will meet Saudi champs Al-Hilal. Zob Ahan’s win sees them qualify as group winners to set-up an all Iranian clash with Mes Kerman.
Bunyodkor 4-1 Al-Wehda
Rivaldo opened the scoring 28 minutes in, as Wehda left him un-marked inside the box to head home Djeparov’s cross. Denilson doubled their …

Chinese champions Beijing Guoan progressed into the second round thanks to 2-0 victory over Kawasaki Frontale. With Korea’s Seongnam Ilhwa already winning the group, Fontale had set up a winner-takes-all clash against Guoan.
Beijing Guoan 2-0 Kawasaki Frontale
Frontale needed a win to make it into the 2nd round of the ACL for the 3rd successive year. Goals either side of halt-time from Joel Griffiths and Valdo ensured the Japanese would make an early exit.
Griffith’s goal was created following a defensive error by Yusuke Tasaka. The Australian showed a cool head inside …