Gamba Osaka has secured its place in the last 16 of the AFC Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Suwon Bluewings at Expo ’70 Stadium.
The Japanese hosts were without five first-team regulars and fell behind in the 58th minute when Hose Mota headed home from a corner.
Gamba was quick to respond, however. Takahiro Futagawa scored three minutes later before teenager forward Takashi Usami volleyed home to clinch all three points.
Elsewhere in the group, there was joy for Singapore Armed Forces as it posted an historic first victory in the ACL by beating Henan Jianye 2-1.
An Odil Ahmedov hat-trick secured a 3-2 win for Pakhtakor against Al Ain which took the Uzbeks to the top of Group C.
Jorge Valdivia had put the UAE side ahead after three minutes at Pakhtakor Stadium but two quick goals from Ahmedov put the hosts in front with less than 15 minutes gone.
Ilhomjon Suyunov’s own goal in the 19th minute leveled matters but Ahmedov again struck just before the half-hour mark to secure the win.
Meanwhile, Sepahan climbed up to second in the group’s standings after the Iranians edged Al Shabab 1-0 at Foolad Shahr Stadium.
Al Hilal clinched top spot in Group D following an uninspiring goalless draw with Al Sadd at King Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh.
Both sides hit the woodwork as the Saudis secured the point they needed to ensure a home tie in the last 16.
UAE outfit Al Ahli picked up its first win of the campaign after goals from brothers Faisal and Ahmad Khalil were enough to see off Mes Kerman 2-1 at Al Rashid Stadium in Dubai.
In Group H, Safrecce Hiroshima won a shootout with Shandong Luneng 3-2.
Neither team can qualify for the knockout stage.
