China's Guangzhou eye Asian knock-outs

Deep-pocketed Chinese champions Guangzhou Evergrande can reach the AFC Champions League knock-outs on debut Tuesday as a make-or-break week for Asia's club showpiece gets under way. Guangzhou, who famously made little-known Argentinian Dario Conca one of the world's best-paid players, will hope to see more returns on their investments when they host former Asian champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors. They are among a series of teams who can clinch a round of 16 spot in the penultimate set of group games played around the region on Tuesday and Wednesday, with only UAE's Al Jazira already through. Guangzhou, backed by a leading property firm and led by midfielder Conca and Brazilian striker Muriqui, can prove a point for China's new-look football league by securing the necessary win against Jeonbuk, last year's finalists. Guangzhou thrashed South Korea's Jeonbuk 5-1 in Jeonju in March, and recovered from defeat to Thailand's Buriram United by taking four points from their double-header with Japan's Kashiwa Reysol to top Group H by a point. They are the best-placed team from China's Super League, which has spent big on star players including Nicolas Anelka in the wake of a major corruption scandal, with Beijing Guoan bottom and Tianjin Teda third in their groups. Adelaide United, the 2008 runners-up, can also reach the knock-out stages if they beat Uzbek champions Bunyodkor at Hindmarsh Stadium. Coach John Kosmina said the Reds were hoping to secure progression before their final Group E game, a tricky away trip to Japan's Gamba Osaka -- their conquerors in the 2008 final. "We don't want to go to Japan in just over two weeks chasing a result," Kosmina said, according to a press release. "Because as much as Gamba are bottom of the group at the moment, playing in front of their home crowd they've certainly got a lot to play for apart from pride." FC Tokyo and Ulsan Hyundai are raging favourites to go through from Group F with both enjoying a six-point advantage over Brisbane Roar and Beijing Guoan, who are placed third and fourth respectively. Two-time winners Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia are sitting on a three-point lead in Group B as they host Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor, while Al Ahli and Foolad Sepahan can both make it through from Group C. Group D leaders Piroozi Athletic of Iran can confirm their progression and in Group G, Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and Nagoya Grampus are in the box-seat as they lie three points clear of Tianjin Teda and Central Coast Mariners. The final group games will be played on May 15 and 16 with the two-legged round of 16 starting a week later and concluding on May 30.