Beijing Guoan seek spot in AFC Champions League knockout stage

Even defeat at the hands of J.League champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima might not be enough to deny Beijing Guoan a place in the AFC Champions League's last 16, as the club from the capital seek to reach the knockout phase for the first time since 2010.

Guangzhou Evergrande have already secured their berth in the round of 16 of the continental championship, and Beijing will join them if they avoid defeat in Hiroshima against a side that has lacked the cutting edge shown in the club's maiden title win in the J.League last season.

With the Japanese champions having nothing to fight for but pride, and coach Hajime Moriyasu expected to field a weakened team as he did in last week's draw with Bunyodkor, Aleksandar Stanojevic's side should pick up the point needed to ensure there are two Chinese Super League clubs in the next round.

A loss would not be the end of Beijing's hopes either, should Pohang Steelers fail to defeat Bunyodkor in their meeting in South Korea, as the tension builds in the final round of matches in group G.

"The players know the match is very important and I hope they play hard to win the match," said Stanojevic (pictured). "Hiroshima are a good team, but we know a lot about them.

"We must be solid in defence as they have good attacking players," he added. "We are under a lot of pressure, but I want my players to relax."