KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) - The AFC Champions League enters a crunch phase on Wednesday with quarter-final slots at stake as Asia's premier club competition hots up.
J-League stalwarts Kawasaki Frontale can also make the knockouts with a win over Indonesian minnows Arema Malang in their penultimate match, but the rest of the groups are finely poised.
With Shanghai Shenhua out of contention in Group E, the fight for the single qualifying spot is between J-League champions Urawa Reds (eight points), Sydney FC (seven), and surprise Indonesian package Persik Kediri (six).
Persik have home advantage against Urawa while Sydney FC, who must win, will be boosted by an expected sell-out crowd when they pit their wits against Shenhua who have only pride to play for.
The group matches wind up on May 23 when the competition pauses for the Asian Cup finals.
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Arema Malang came to Japan with only 12 players on Monday, Japanese media reported.