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 final home match, Adelaide secured a vital 1–0 win over Pohang, which set up a decisive away game against Changchun to decide the Group E champion. In Changchun, Adelaide successfully withstood intense pressure to secure an unprecedented 0–0 draw, thus becoming the first Australian team to ever progress to the knockout stage of the Asian Champions League.