HONG KONG // Japan's Kashima Antlers moved to the brink of the Asian Champions League knockout phase, beating Shanghai Shenhua 2-0 at Tokyo's National Stadium.
Two goals from forward Shinzo Koroki took the J-League side to nine points in Group H, three clear of South Korea's Suwon Samsung Bluewings, who play Sydney FC later today.
Cerezo Osaka had a 4-0 win away at Indonesia's Arema in Group G, notching a critical three points while also improving its goal difference ahead of their decisive final match at home against China's Shandong Luneng.
Koroki opened the scoring for Antlers with a header shortly after the half-hour mark from a free kick swung in by captain Mitsuo Ogasawara.
Shanghai improved after the break as rain began to fall, but Kashima doubled their lead 10 minutes before full-time when Koroki scored after Shanghai goalkeeper Wang Dalei failed to hold an effort from Brazilian Fellype Gabriel.
"Probably all the people of the Kashima side had hoped for us to win today. I'm very glad that we were able to live up to their expectations," said Kashima coach Oswaldo Oliveira.
"The other game (Suwon vs Sydney) will be played in the evening, so we can put pressure on them. If we can finish top in the group round, we will have a home advantage. It will not be decided this evening."
In the West Asian matches, the Uzbek outfit Bunyodkor face Al Wahda in Group C. Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia, who have already qualified from the group, play Iran's Piroozi Athletic.
In other later matches, the top two in Group G, China's Shandong Luneng FC and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of South Korea face off and so do Group D's top sides Emirates and Iran's Zobahan.
Group B table-toppers Al Sadd of Qatar take on Iran's Esteghlal.
Thirty-two teams play home and away in eight groups to qualify for the knockout stages starting in May.
