The odds are stacked heavily against the Chinese side as they take on the runaway leaders in Group H, who have 10 points and a guaranteed place in the last 16.

Tianjin have only two points with two games to play and are longshots to reach the knockout stage but Zuo is confident his players can cause an upset.

"Although this won't be an easy game, we are very confident we can achieve the ideal result. The ideal result, of course, is victory," he said.

"Kawasaki are a very strong team and they have already qualified for the next phase of the competition. They play aggressive football, and their attack is strong, so this will be a big test for our defence."

Zuo added that he would not be sidetracked by the other Group H match between Pohang Steelers and Central Coast Mariners, even though that game will determine his side's future in the competition as a win for the Korean side would secure their place in the next round.

"No matter what happens in the other match, nothing will change our strong desire to win the game," Zuo said.

Kawasaki boss Takashi Sekizuka does not expect an easy match and insisted that his players would take nothing for granted, especially as qualifying as group winners would improve their chances later in the competition.

"We will not underestimate Tianjin in this game. We want to win and go through to the next round," he said.

"To be number one in the group would definitely help us progress in the tournament.

"We will encounter many challenges in this match, Tianjin is not a weak team and we will respect them and their fans."

Pohang will defend their unbeaten record when they entertain Central Coast at the Pohang Steelyard with coach Sergio Farias showing no inclination of doing away with the approach that has seen his side score two goals while conceding only one in four games.

"Our team is in a good position, being four points ahead of Central Coast with two games remaining," said the Brazilian.

"Our plan is to watch what they do in the first half and then make adjustments at half-time and then really attack them in the second half."

With Central Coast facing elimination if they fail to win in Korea, Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna has issued a rallying cry to his players.

"We need to get back to the do-or-die attitude that came back into our performance in Kawasaki and should we win on Tuesday, it sets up a great experience against Tianjin in a fortnight," he said.

"It can definitely happen and there have been signs suggesting that it can happen but it has been a long time since we've won as everyone keeps reminding us.

"If we win tomorrow night, a lot of the other results are forgotten about and it would be great to then go on to beat Tianjin and go to the Round of 16."