China's Dalian Shide travel to South Korea for a crunch match against Chonbuk Motors on Wednesday needing a point to make the AFC Champions League quarter-finals.

Dalian have 12 points to Chonbuk's 10 in Group E of Asia's premier club competition and captain Ji Mingyi believes his side has the backbone to go all the way and lift the trophy.

"It will not be easy. In order to achieve our goal of winning the AFC Champions League, the team must put in its best effort, be diligent and work together, said Ji.

"However, we will certainly do our best to make history for the club."

Ji played in the Dalian sides that lost to eventual champions Al Ain in the 2003 semi-finals and Al Ittihad in the 2004 quarter-finals, but says under current coach Vladimir Petrovic they can be beat West Asia's top clubs.

"Mr. Petrovic is very important to the Dalian Shide team and our good results last year are a credit to him," he said of the man who steered them to the domestic league and cup double.

"He brings a lot of fresh ideas and strategies which have greatly enhanced the teams strengths and abilities."

Two sides are already through to the knockout stages -- China's Shanghai Shenhua and Ulsan of Korea -- while defending champions Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia had a bye.

The rest of the slots will be decided on Wednesday.

Uzbek giants Pakhtakor need to beat Kuwait's Al Qadisiya if they want to progress while the winners of the clash between Iran's Saba Battery and Syria's Al Karama will also go through.

In Group B, former champions Al Ain of the United Arab Emirates are favourites to beat Uzbek side Mashal to keep their hopes alive.

Their task has been made easier after Mash'al sacked coach Viktor Djalilov last week despite them still having an outside chance of reaching the last eight.

Mashal head to Abu Dhabi needing to beat the home side and hope that Al Minaa can pull off a shock victory over Al Hilal in Kuwait City on the same night.

Meanwhile, Al Karama go into their Group C decider against Saba Battery knowing that whatever happens they are almost certain to be in next years competition as Syrian champions.

Their 4-1 weekend win over Al Jihad in the penultimate round of the season kept them three points clear of second place Al Jaish with one round left to play.

In Group D, the race is between Al Sadd of Qatar and Saudi side Al Shabab.

Both have 10 points, with Al Sadd having the harder task, playing Al Arabi of Kuwait away. Al Shabab are at home against Iraq's Al Quwa Al Jawiya.

Dalian's Ji will be watching the results closely, hoping that when the draw is made for the quarter-finals in June his side will be in it and pitted against a West Asian team.

Revenge for the disappointments of 2003 and 2004 is on his mind.

"The West Asian teams pose a great challenge as they are very strong, possess good talent and technical ability and are capable of putting us under intense pressure throughout the game," he said.

"However, we have a strong will to win. I will perform my best and I am sure that my teammates will do the same."

(AFP via China Daily May 16, 2006)