Guangzhou Evergrande pulled off a dramatic 2-1 win over Buriram United to advance to the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League.
Guangzhou Evergrande pulled off a dramatic 2-1 win over Buriram United to advance to the knockout stages of the AFC Champions League.
Dario Conca scored a penalty in second-half injury-time to clinch victory for Evergrande, which put the Chinese club top of Group H and through to the Round of 16.
After Kashiwa Reysol defeated Jeonbuk Motors 2-0 in Group H’s earlier match, Evergrande had to win to advance.
Gao Lin put Evergrande in front in the 49th minute but Buriram hit back nine minutes later when Suriya Domtaisong took advantage of a mix-up in the Chinese club’s defence to slot the ball home.
Evergrande looked to be going out of the tournament before Brazilian striker Cleo was knocked down in the box and Conca smashed the penalty straight down the middle.
That win put Evergrande top of Group H with 10 points, with Kashiwa also going through.
Jeonbuk were eliminated, despite leading the group before Tuesday.
In Group C, Sepahan triumphed 2-1 over Al Ahli in a direct clash for top spot.
Al Ahli went into the game two points ahead of their hosts but goals for Xhevahir Sukaj and Mohsen Bengar clinched victory for Sepahan and put the Iranian club top of Group C.
Both clubs advance to the Round of 16.
In the other Group C match, Al Nasr won 2-1 at Lekhwiya.
Nagoya Grampus ended Central Coast Mariners’ hopes of advancing with a 3-0 win at home.
Central Coast knew a win in Japan would send them to the knockout stages at the expense of Nagoya but never looked competitive on Tuesday.
A free-kick to Keiji Tamada put Nagoya in front after 19 minutes before goals to Jungo Fujimoto and Tulio Tanaka eliminated the Mariners.
Nagoya finished second in Group G behind Seongnam, who defeated Tianjin Teda 3-0.
Both Al Hilal and Persepolis ensured their progression to the knockout stages with wins.
Al Hilal knocked off Al Gharafa 2-1 to top Group D, while Persepolis defeated Al Shabab 3-1 to finish second.
