In their final group tie at home, Adelaide defeated Pohang 1–0, setting up a deciding away tie against Changchun to determine the Group E winner. In Changchun, Adelaide withstood considerable pressure to achieve an historic 0–0 draw, thus becoming the first Australian team to ever progress to the knockout stage of the Asian Champions League.
In their last home match, Adelaide secured a crucial 1–0 victory over Pohang, which led to a decisive away game against Changchun to determine the Group E winner. In Changchun, Adelaide withstood significant opposition to achieve an historic 0–0 stalemate, thus making history as the first Australian team to reach the knockout stage of the Asian Champions League.