Saudi Arabian duo Al-Ahli and Al-Shabab became the first teams to qualify for the last 16 of the AFC Champions League this week, although the race for the knockout stage is still set to reach a thrilling climax with only one team eliminated from contention.

Al-Ahli, who lost last year’s final to Ulsan Hyundai, sealed a fourth consecutive win in Group C on Wednesday as teenager Mustafa Al Bassas scored twice to secure a 4-1 win over Iran champions Sepahan, while Saudi champions Al-Shabab edged out Tractorsazi Tabriz of Iran 1-0 thanks to a late breakaway goal from Sebastian Tagliabue.

UAE Pro League side Al Nasr also became the first team to be eliminated after losing 3-1 to Qatar’s Al Gharafa in Group C meaning with two games remaining, 29 teams are still in the hunt for the 14 remaining places in the knockout stage.

“We created many scoring chances and we scored four goals which helped us to continue our good run in the group with our fourth win,” said Al Ahli coach Aleksander Ilic.

“All the team played well and they followed the tactics. Our next target is to win the next match against Al Gharafa in order to secure the top spot and continue our good run in the competition.” Bruno Cesar and Bader Al Khames also scored at King Abdulaziz Sport City to leave Al Ahli three points clear of second-placed Al Gharafa, with Sepahan on the brink of elimination following a third defeat.

In Group A, Tagliabue’s strike with five minutes remaining saw Al Shabab become the first team to book their place in the last 16 after edging out Tractorsazi at Yadegar Emam Stadium.

The win saw unbeaten Al-Shabab move five clear of second-placed El Jaish of Qatar, who were held to a 1-1 draw by Al Jazira, and crucially six clear of third-placed Tractorsazi, “It was a very tough game for both teams. We were under a lot of pressure as they pressed very well,” said Al Shabab coach Michel Preud’homme.

“Even one point from this game would have satisfied us, but of course I’m a lot happier with the win which gives us a good lead in the table.” Also in the West, Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal edged out Esteghlal 1-0, while Qatar’s Al Rayyan recorded a 2-1 win over former champions Al Ain to leave all four teams firmly in the hunt in Group D.

Nawaf Al Abid’s scrappy first half goal proved the difference as Al Hilal gained revenge for last week’s 2-1 home defeat by Esteghlal, while Jaralla Al Marri scored with four minutes remaining as Al Rayyan snatched a 2-1 win over UAE Pro League leaders Al Ain.

But despite the defeat Esteghlal still top of the table a point clear of both Al Ain and Al Hilal with Al Rayyan just two points further off the pace.

Elsewhere, Qatar champions Lekhwiya remained a point clear of Pakhtakor at the top of Group B after the pair shared a 2-2 draw in Tashkent, while Saleh Bashir scored twice as Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq clawed themselves back into contention with a 3-1 victory over 10-man Al Shabab Al Arabi.

In the East, Japanese Emperor’s Cup winners Kashiwa Reysol missed out on securing a place in the last 16 after being held to a goalless draw by Suwon Bluewings in Group H on Tuesday.

Kashiwa knew a fourth win of the campaign at Hitachi Stadium would secure qualification for the knockout stage with two games to spare after beating Suwon 6-2 last week.

But the Emperor’s Cup holders were forced to concede their 100% record, and with China’s Guizhou Renhe beating Australia’s Central Coast Mariners 2-1, Nelsinho Baptista’s side missed out on becoming the first team to secure a place in the knockout stage.

With two goals in the final six minutes from Zlatan Muslimovic and substitute Qu Bo handing Guizhou a first win in Group H, the Chinese Super League side moved up to second place on goal difference alongside Central Coast, with winless Suwon just a point further off the pace after posting a third goalless draw of the campaign.

In Group F, Brazilian striker Muriqui scored twice as Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande moved a step closer to the last 16 with a 4-1 win over Muangthong United.

Zheng Zhi and Feng Xiaoting also scored as Marcello Lippi’s unbeaten side posted their third win in four matches, with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors four points adrift after the K-League side fought back from two goals down at half-time to draw 2-2 with fellow former champions Urawa Reds.

In Group E, former Japan international Atsushi Yanagisawa scored the only goal of the game as Vegalta Sendai notched up their first-ever AFC Champions League win with a 1-0 victory over Group E leaders FC Seoul.

K-League champions FC Seoul still hold a two point lead at the top of the table, with Buriram United joining Sendai in a tie for second place after captain Suchao Nutnum and midfielder Charyl Chappuis scored to secure a 2-0 win over China’s Jiangsu Sainty.

Finally, J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima kept their slim hopes of reaching the last 16 alive after picking a first point of the campaign with a 1-1 draw against Pohang Steelers in Group G.

With Fozil Musaev’s close-range strike securing Bunyodkor a 1-0 win over Beijing Guoan at Workers’ Stadium, the Uzbek side moved two points clear of Pohang at the top of the table, with Beijing just a point further off the pace.