Yokohama F. Marinos bounced back admirably from their opening day 7-3 defeat to end Matchday Six top of the East Zone standings with 13 points and this is largely due to sharpshooter Anderson Lopes. The Brazilian, in netting in all five of his AFC Champions League Elite appearances this season, has joined the likes of Brazilian Muriqui in 2013, Asamoah Gyan of Ghana in 2014 (5 each) and Kenyan Michael Olunga in 2021 (6) to have scored in five consecutive group stage games in a single season.

Kawasaki Frontale, fourth on 12 points, are well placed for a Round of 16 spot and they owe the comfortable position they are in to the multiple scorers they have at their disposal, with their last 10 goals having been scored by different players.

Al Wasl can look forward to a stress-free break after confirming their Round of 16 spot with two matches to spare and qualification is largely due to players coming off the bench to score for the UAE champions, with substitutes netting their last three goals to take the UAE champions into fifth spot on 11 points.

The win may have eluded them but Shanghai Port's 1-1 draw with Korea Republic's Gwangju FC means they have stretched their unbeaten home continental record to 23 matches (W14 D9). The side from China PR, however, still have work to do as they ended Matchday Six in seventh place on eight points, meaning two crucial matches await them when the tournament resumes in February.

Soufiane Rahimi's goal against Uzbekistan's Pakhtakor took his continental tally to 18 as the Moroccan joined Asamoah Gyan as Al Ain FC's all-time top scorer in the AFC Champions League. Sadly for the UAE side, they have been porous at the back, conceding a tournament high 18 which has left them on the verge of elimination.

Al Hilal SFC are cruising and Aleksandar Mitrovic is a major reason why the four-time Asian champions are enjoying a serene league stage. The Serbian has scored in Al Hilal's last four home matches in the AFC Champions League Elite, equaling the streaks of Salem Al-Dawsari (2023-2024) and Nasser Al-Shamrani (2014). In fact, the striker has scored five of Al Hilal's last 10 home goals in the tournament.

Pohang Steelers were at their devastating best in the 3-1 win against Vissel Kobe and defensive resilience played a key part with defender Jeon Min-gwang leading the way with 15 clearances. The last Pohang Steelers players who made more clearances in a single game on the continental stage were Kim Hyung-il (18) and Kim Kwang-suk (17) in August 2014 against FC Seoul in a quarter-final second leg tie.

Al Sadd SC booked their knockout stage ticket with a thrilling 2-1 win against Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr Club, with the Qatari side only having 27.5% possession. It is the lowest for a winning team in a West Zone match this season and the second lowest after Shanghai Port against Ulsan Hyundai (26.4%).